Spending posts first gain in nine months

From

CBA Business Spending index Tentative signs of a recovery in consumer spending. A key gauge of economy-wide spending posted its strongest result in nine months in August. The Commonwealth Bank

continue reading

Investor Signposts: Week Beginning September 19

From

Upcoming economic and financial market events Australia September 20    Reserve Bank Governor speech    Foodbowl Unlimited Forum Luncheon in Shepparton September 21    RBA Board minutes (September 7)    Minutes of the last

continue reading

Aussies embrace financial stocks

From

Reserve Bank Bulletin The Reserve Bank Bulletin released yesterday has provided a breakdown of the ownership of Aussie equities. The portfolio allocations between households and institutional investors differ significantly. Mum

continue reading

Powerhouse mining sector

From

Quarterly Labour force data; RBA Speech; Imports In percentage terms, employment in the mining sector expanded rapidly over the past year. In the year to August, mining sector employment grew

continue reading

Businesses hopeful; Farmers rejoice; Cash is still king

From

NAB business survey; ABARE Crop Report; Consumer finances Business confidence is up; conditions are down. According to the NAB business survey, the business confidence index rose from +2.4 in July

continue reading

Aussie tourism in trouble

From

Regional economy Australia’s tourism sector was already in trouble, but it is now set to come under even more pressure from renewed strength of the Aussie dollar. The Australian dollar

continue reading

Chinese economy powers along

From

Chinese economic data The Chinese economy strengthened in August. Production, retail trade, inflation and money supply all grew at a stronger annual rate in August suggesting that authorities will need

continue reading

Weekly market & economic update 10 September 2010

From

Headline developments of the past week US President Obama announced plans for another round of fiscal stimulus including increased infrastructure spending, accelerated tax write-offs for new investment that would allow

continue reading

Unemployment rate slides to 19-month low

From

Labour force Employment rose by 30,900 in August, in line with forecasts centred on job gains of around 29,000. The July result was revised up to show job growth of

continue reading

Investor Signposts: Week Beginning September 12 2010

From

The big picture One of the most poorly understood concepts in Australia is housing affordability. However to be fair, the main reason that it has been so poorly analysed and

continue reading