Weekly market & economic update 24 December 2010

From

Headline developments of the past week The past week was pretty light on in terms of major news. However, while European debt worries continued amid talk of more ratings downgrades,

continue reading

Weekly market & economic update – 10 December 2010

From

Headline developments of the past week Another round of strong Chinese economic activity indicators, excessive loan growth and a further rise in inflation to 5.1% in November on the back

continue reading

Spending slumps; Trade surplus with China soars

From

Retail trade, International trade Retail spending slumped by 1.1 per cent in October, below forecasts centred on a rise of 0.4 per cent. Nonfood retailing fell by a much larger

continue reading

Record economic expansion moves into 20th year

From

National accounts The current economic expansion began in the September quarter of 1991. The 19th year of the expansion was completed in the June quarter 2010 and the 20th year

continue reading

Profits and sales slide as businesses temper activity

From

Business indicators; New Home Sales; Petrol price Company profits fell by 1.5 per cent in the December quarter, led by the construction sector. Excluding mining, profits fell by a much

continue reading

Consumers remain super-cautious on spending

From

Retail trade, International trade Retail spending grew by just 0.3 per cent in September, below expectations centred on a rise of 0.4 per cent. Non-food retailing rose by 0.4 per

continue reading

Consumer bonanza

From

Import & export prices Prices of export goods rose by a record 7.8 per cent in the September quarter, courtesy of higher coal and iron ore prices. Export prices are

continue reading

Top Five Questions Investors Ask

From

The GFC and subsequent volatility has increased the number of market presentations my team and I have been asked to do for the clients of financial planners. I thought you’d

continue reading

Parity! Aussie dollar hits 28-year high

From

Economic trends The Aussie dollar hit parity with the US dollar – one Australian dollar equalling one US dollar – overnight. The Aussie hit US$1.0002 very briefly at 11.17pm Sydney

continue reading

Healthy trade; petrol prices to creep higher

From

International trade; Job advertisements; Petrol price The trade surplus widened in August. The trade surplus rose by $603 million to $2,346 million. Exports fell by 2.4 per cent while imports

continue reading