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Economics

Chief economist update: Brexit uncertainty is not all that bad

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 15 OCT 2019
Queen Elizabeth has all but given her imprimatur on Brexit but with only a few weeks to go before the October 31 deadline, it remains a tall ask. The uncertainty however, has been a good thing for one particular currency.

Chief economist update: When QE is not QE

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 14 OCT 2019
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, is it a duck? It is not, according to the US Federal Reserve.

Chief economist update: Japan tightens fiscal policy

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 11 OCT 2019
As the clamour among central banks for fiscal policy aid continues to grow, Japan does the opposite.

Chief economist update: Negative bang for RBA, government's buck

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 10 OCT 2019
The latest Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer sentiment survey delivers a grim warning to us, Australians all. Instead of lifting confidence, the RBA's relatively aggressive rate cuts appear to have done the opposite.

Chief economist update: Synchronised forecasts for a synchronised slowdown

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 9 OCT 2019
The general economic and business uncertainty spawned by the United States and China is taking the whole world down with them.

Chief economist update: When monetary and fiscal policies don't meet

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 8 OCT 2019
With its AAA-rating and interest rates at record lows, the government needs to heed its own advice to businesses and consumers.

Chief economist update: Bad news is good news is back

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 4 OCT 2019
Bad news is good news, or is it? While still in expansion territory, last night's ISM non-manufacturing survey report indicates the US services sector's rate of expansion is slowing... fast.

Chief economist update: US recession on the cards

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 3 OCT 2019
All roads lead to a US recession. Australia dodged those of 2001 and 2008 - will it be third time lucky?

Chief economist update: Zero here we go

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 2 OCT 2019
Will the RBA's recent cut (and further rate reductions to zero or negative even) be sufficient to re-start the Australian economy?

Chief economist update: The greatest central banker of modern times

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 1 OCT 2019
With his term expiring at the end of the month, ECB president Mario Draghi is running out of time to see the fruits of his new stimulative policies.