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Economic recap: Week to July 2

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 5 JUL 2021
A weekly review of significant economic data, government and central bank action and pronouncements, and other market moving events.

Chief economist update: Local and foreign love affair with Australian property

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 30 JUN 2021
The Foreign Investment Review Board's (FIRB) 2019-20 annual report shows that just like Australians, foreigners are also in love with our local property market.

Chief economist update: Delta variant infects Australian economy

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 29 JUN 2021
Just weeks ago all indicators seemed to point to continuing good fortunes for Australia - until the Delta variant broke out, that is.

Chief economist update: Japan still waiting for the sun to rise

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 28 JUN 2021
The upward revision to Japan's March quarter GDP growth - to an annualised rate of 3.9% (from the preliminary estimate of 5.1%) - provides cold comfort to an economy that remains stuck in a rut and continues to reel from the coronavirus pandemic.

Chief economist update: UK not there yet

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 25 JUN 2021
As expected, the Bank of England opted to keep monetary policy settings unchanged, as inflation heads higher.

Chief economist update: Thank you, my frenemy

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 24 JUN 2021
Looking at Australia's latest trade stats, one would be forgiven for believing that Beijing and Canberra have kissed and made up.

Chief economist update: Chinese activity indicators disappoint but growth target intact

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 21 JUN 2021
Disappointing. This is the one word that describes the latest batch of activity indicators out of China.

Chief economist update: It's raining jobs

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 18 JUN 2021
According to ABS data, employment in May was higher than it was pre-pandemic. This bodes well for everyone praying for Australia's recovery - so why are financial markets throwing a tantrum at mounting indications we are well on our way?

Chief economist update: The (dot) plot thickens

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 17 JUN 2021
The Fed has spoken and Wall Street does not like what it's heard or seen (in the dot plots).

Chief economist update: Anchoring the recovery

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 15 JUN 2021
European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde is improving on Mario Draghi's "whatever it takes" mantra.