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Showing 211 - 220 of 2991 results for Benjamin Ong

Chief economist update: Communists' party

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 26 AUG 2020
"There's a party goin' on right here A celebration to last throughout the years So bring your good times and your laughter too We gonna celebrate your party with you..." - Kool & the Gang The post-pandemic pool party at Wuhan Maya Beach Water ...

Chief economist update: Comeback COVID

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 25 AUG 2020
"One, two, Freddy's coming for you Three, four, better lock your door Five, six, grab a crucifix Seven, eight, ya better stay awake Nine, ten, he's back again." Just replace "Freddy" with "COVID" and this Nightmare on Elm Street remake of the ...

Chief economist update: Gone fishing

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 24 AUG 2020
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) governor Philip Lowe didn't exactly quote this proverb when he testified before the House of Representatives Standing ...

Chief economist update: Second wave turning our V into a W

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 21 AUG 2020
Australia's private sector activity is back, back in contraction that is. The Commonwealth Bank flash Australia composite PMI fell to a reading of 48.8 in August - indicating "Contraction, change of direction" - from 57.8 in July - indicating "Expansion ...

Chief economist update: Worse news is better news

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 20 AUG 2020
"I love you more today than yesterday But not as much as tomorrow..." - Spiral Starecase The S&P 500 index closed 0.4% lower to 3374.85 points overnight, failing to push above the previous trading day's record high finish of 3389.78 points... but ...

Chief economist update: COVID-19 cycle

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 17 AUG 2020
Is this the new normal cycle? The cycle of coronavirus cycling its way around the world and infection, containment through social distancing and lockdowns, easing of restrictions, and back to infection - the second wave? This cycle hit home when the ...

Chief economist update: Second wave threatens an oil spill

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 14 AUG 2020
Most things appeared to be going hunky-dory for the oil market in the second quarter of this year. OPEC+ production cuts plus the easing of social distancing and the re-opening of many businesses in an increasing number of countries around the world ...

Chief economist update: The wages of COVID-19

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 13 AUG 2020
"After a steady period of wage growth over the previous 12 months, wages recorded the lowest annual growth in the 22-year history of the WPI, ABS head of price statistics Andrew Tomadini said. "The June 2020 quarter was the first full period in which ...

Chief economist update: Forecasting is futile

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 12 AUG 2020
Be afraid... The National Australia Bank's (NAB) business confidence index dropped to a reading of -14 in July from zero in the previous month. "Confidence fell in all industries led by mining which saw a sharp decline. With the exception of retail ...

Chief economist update: Ardern's ardour

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 11 AUG 2020
Big congratulations to our next door neighbours, you've done well. August 10 marked 100 days that the country has gone without any recorded case of coronavirus infection - 'twas way back on May 1 when New Zealand reported the last infection. ...