RBA: Stable interest rates; labour market in focus

From

RBA Board minutes Reserve Bank Board minutes: Board members continue to expect a period of stability in interest rates. Board members appeared to spend a lot of attention on the

continue reading

Investor Signposts: Week Beginning April 3 2011

From

The big picture The Reserve Bank Board meets again on Tuesday to decide interest rate settings. But this month – as was the case last month – there is no

continue reading

Budget deficit soars to near record high

From

Federal budget The underlying budget deficit deteriorated in January and now stands just shy of record highs. In the 12- months to January, the budget deficit totalled $62.3 billion, an

continue reading

Credit shines and bond yields to head upwards, says INGIM

From

Credit is expected to shine over the coming quarter while Australian bonds will continue to outperform their global counterparts, according to the latest fixed income outlook from ING Investment Management

continue reading

Lending slides; Futures market bets on rate cut

From

Lending finance; RBA Board minutes; New Car Sales Lending slumped in January. Total lending finance fell for the first time in the five months – down by 6.0 per cent

continue reading

China: Food inflation remains high

From

Chinese economic data Inflation prints above forecast. China’s annual inflation rate held steady in February at 4.9 per cent, but was above expectations centred on a result near 4.8 per

continue reading

RBA: Start of an extended rate pause?

From

Reserve Bank Board meeting The Reserve Bank Board has left the cash rate at 4.75 per cent at its second meeting for 2011. The next meeting is on April 5

continue reading

Weekly market & economic update – 11 February 2011

From

Headline developments of the past week China continued to tighten the monetary screws with another interest rates hike. This should not really have been a surprise to anyone and further

continue reading

RBA Testimony – Rates solidly on hold

From

Semi-annual testimony The Reserve Bank Governor has delivered the clearest message yet that interest rates are on hold for some time. The tone and comments from the testimony is consistent

continue reading

Confidence stabilises but trend index at 20mth lows

From

Consumer sentiment The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence rose modestly in February following the sharp slide in January. The index rose by 1.9 per cent to 106.6 in February.

continue reading