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Coronavirus News

Chief economist update: COVID-19 returns to Europe with a vengeance

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 19 OCT 2020
The rate of increase in infections is such that the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that death rates could be four to five times more by January 2021 than they were in April this year.

Chief economist update: Lowe taking interest rates lower

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 16 OCT 2020
The ABS's latest numbers may be better than market expectations but they still don't diminish the fact that Australia's labour market remains weak, leading RBA governor Philip Lowe to plan another cut.

Keep spending and investing: Lowe

ELIZA BAVIN  |  THURSDAY, 15 OCT 2020
Australia will have a better economic outcome in the coming months if Australians ensure they keep spending and investing, according to Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) governor Philip Lowe.

Chief economist update: Money buys happiness

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 15 OCT 2020
The old adage that money can't buy happiness has been disproved, after Australian consumer sentiment surged by 11.9% in the month of October.

Chief economist update: Get shorty

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 13 OCT 2020
The People's Bank of China (PBOC) cut the foreign exchange risk reserve ratio for forward contracts to 0% from 20% over the weekend, effectively giving its blessing to currency traders to "get shorty".

Aussies continue to drain super

ELIZA BAVIN  |  MONDAY, 12 OCT 2020
Over the week to September 27, a further 36,000 applications were received by funds for the Early Release of Superannuation (ERS) scheme.

Chief economist update: Budget me this Batman

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 12 OCT 2020
There might be precious few worrying about the Morrison government's fiscal spending, but at the end of the day it will need to be recouped - whether through higher taxes, lower welfare spending or both.

Effects of ERS not so bad: Grattan

ELIZA BAVIN  |  THURSDAY, 8 OCT 2020
Despite over $34 billion being removed from the super system, the Grattan Institute is sticking to its guns that the effects of the Early Release of Super scheme will not have too great of an impact on retirement outcomes.

AAA rating holds on by a thread

ELIZA BAVIN  |  WEDNESDAY, 7 OCT 2020
Australia's AAA rating will remain, but is hanging on by a thread following the government's budget announcement.

Chief economist update: Splish splash, budget cash

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 7 OCT 2020
Budget 2020/21 winners will be singing hallelujah and losers crying "please sir, could I have some more" but the ultimate effect would be a boost.