Online domestic retailers fight back

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Commonwealth Bank Equity Research Analysts have analysed the spending habits of two million CBA customers through the bank’s credit and debit card facilities. CBA cards data indicates growth in total

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Rate cut: Will it help or hurt?

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The Reserve Bank Board has cut the official cash rate by 25 basis points (quarter of a per cent) to 3.25 per cent. The Bank cited global factors as justifying

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Banks warned on lending standards

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The Reserve Bank has warned banks to “resist the pressure to ease lending standards to gain market share.” Household conservatism is encouraged – “Ongoing consolidation of household balance sheets would be desirable

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Budget on track despite record monthly shortfall

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The federal budget was in deficit by $43.7 billion in 2011/12 or 3.0 per cent of GDP. At the time of the May 2012 budget the government projected a deficit

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Principal Global Investors 2012 Central Bank Watch

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Principal Global Investors’ today released their monthly Central Bank Watch which evaluates the Reserve Bank of Australia’s current and expected interest rate policy. The report refers to the Reserve Bank

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RBA “no change” decision more finely balanced

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The latest Reserve Bank Board minutes confirms that the decision to leave rates on hold in September was more finely balanced than in prior months, due to the “significant downside

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Biggest fall in credit card debt in 18 years

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The average credit card balance fell by $69 (2.0 per cent) to $3,299.10 in July. It was the biggest fall in credit card debt for a July month on record

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Reserve Bank holds fire… for now

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The Reserve Bank Board has left the official cash rate at 3.50 per cent for the third straight month. The variable housing rate is applying modest stimulus to the economy

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Barrage of economic data

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There is a barrage of economic data coming out… Retail trade: Retail spending fell by a surprising 0.8 per cent in July after lifting by 1.2 per cent in June.

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Economic nirvana achieved!

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Reserve Bank Governor Testimony The Reserve Bank Governor has delivered testimony to the House of Representatives Economics Committee. The Governor says that the economy is growing close to trend or

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