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Economics

Chief economist update: The clown in the White House

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 18 DEC 2018
It's hard not to agree with US President Donald Trump's latest tweet.

Chief economist update: Is there a bear in there?

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 17 DEC 2018
What is the definition of a bear market? Technically, it is a 20% drop from its peak.

Chief economist update: ECB bids farewell to QE

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 14 DEC 2018
The European Central Bank reneging on its forward guidance to end its asset purchase program would only confirm financial markets' concern over the increasing momentum of the region's economic slowdown.

Chief economist update: Does the Fed lift or cut interest rates just for the heck of it?

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 13 DEC 2018
Recall recent Fedspeak about the US central bank being data dependent? Is it a headline story?

Chief economist update: So much Brexit uncertainty, so little time

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 12 DEC 2018
Theresa May could resign as Prime Minister, or there could be a leadership challenge, or a snap general election, or another referendum on Brexit, or an extension of the 29 March 2019 divorce deadline.

Chief economist update: Aussie property market drop becoming self-fulfilling

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 11 DEC 2018
The acceleration in the decline of property prices could lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy as buyers defer purchases while waiting for cheaper prices and sellers sell at lower prices before prices fall some more.

And so this is Christmas, another year (almost) over

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 10 DEC 2018
The question going forward is what's the Fed going to do going forward. Some say it would ease raising interest rates while others think it's now close to "neutral" (whatever that neutral rate is).

Chief economist update: A prelude to a rate cut?

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 7 DEC 2018
Two days after the RBA added another month where interest rates have remained unchanged at 1.5% since August 2016, RBA deputy governor Guy Debelle hinted a downward move.

Chief economist update: Tariff man takes Wall Street down

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 5 DEC 2018
The main game remains Donald Trump and the Fed. The more the US President tries to "Make America Great Again", the more the Fed becomes determined to reduce/remove policy accommodation.

Chief economist update: Bottom line slows down

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 4 DEC 2018
Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures is a sobering read for investors dabbling in the local share market.