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Economics

Chief economist update: As low as Lowe will go

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 27 NOV 2019
The RBA's growth and inflation forecasts and the Taylor Rule calls for just one more rate cut next year.

Chief economist update: Let's talk about debt

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 26 NOV 2019
In trying to look "fiscally responsible", the Morrison government is encouraging households to borrow and spend to boost economic activity and growth. After all, interest rates are at record lows.

Chief economist update: US consumer power

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 25 NOV 2019
The US-China trade deal/no trade deal seesaw continues to drive the markets' daily ups and downs. But behind the day-to-day swings is the rise and rise on Wall Street - to new record highs.

Chief economist update: Cloudy 2020 vision for OECD

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 22 NOV 2019
The OECD's warning on "trade policy uncertainty" comes at a time when the expected de-escalation of the Sino-US trade friction appears to have a hit a stumbling block.

Chief economist update: Reversal of fortune

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 20 NOV 2019
Is the RBA correct in waiting for the lagged effects of monetary policy to filter into general economic activity?

Chief economist update: The PBOC stimulates

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 19 NOV 2019
Faced with slowing growth and above target inflation, what's a central bank to do? In the case of the People's Bank of China, it's going for growth.

The AUD is key

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 18 NOV 2019
The Aussie dollar is key to how low Lowe goes.

Chief economist update: How low will Lowe go?

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 15 NOV 2019
If financial markets were waiting for the Australian labour market report to raise the odds of another RBA rate reduction, they're too late. Now only one question remains.

Chief economist update: Lower iron ore a boon to the Aussie budget

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 14 NOV 2019
In the case of iron ore prices, it's a tale of two markets this year - a bull market in the first half; a bear in the second. Whether it goes up, down or remains steady from here has a direct bearing on Australia

Chief economist update: The A$ will answer the question of how much more

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 12 NOV 2019
The RBA will cut one more time in 2020. More, if other central banks - particularly the Fed - raise accommodative monetary policies... if only to keep the Aussie dollar weak.