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Economics

Chief economist update: The colour of Beige

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 19 APR 2018
Speculators speculating on the US Federal Reserve's next monetary policy movement should pay close attention to the Beige Book Report.

Chief economist update: Back to the shops

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 17 APR 2018
US average weekly earnings growth accelerated to 2.7% in the year to March from 2.6% in the previous month and take home pay would be even better by the reduction in income taxes.

Chief economist update: Can't get enough of war

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 16 APR 2018
War: it seems that US president Donald Trump cannot get enough of it.

Chief economist update: Inflation is heading Fed's way

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 13 APR 2018
The latest US Fed minutes revealed that "all participants expected inflation on a 12-month basis to move up in coming months."

Chief economist update: RBA certain to raise interest rates

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 12 APR 2018
Speculate no further, "the next move in the cash rate will be up, not down."

Chief economist update: Let's talk about oil baby

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 11 APR 2018
Now that the Saudis have hinted at a target price, it's highly likely that oil prices will be heading towards US$80 a barrel.

Chief economist update: Trump trumps Brexit

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 10 APR 2018
For sure, Britain would be dragged into a trade war if it escalates, but at least Downing Street is not in Trump's crosshairs as the UK is buying more goods from America.

Chief economist update: No target sign on India's back

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 9 APR 2018
Trump and Xi's game of tariff poker goes on. Whether it's Trump's "art of the deal" tactic or a true blue (fallacious) plan to make "America Great Again," only Trump knows - problem is, China's Supremo isn't blinking.

Chief economist update: Another five minutes of retail sunshine?

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 6 APR 2018
The Australian labour market is indeed improving but until there's a meaningful lift in wages and reduction in household debt (not to mention the negative wealth effect from the current retreat in stock prices), chances are retail spending will remain ...

Chief economist update: Japan's other war

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 5 APR 2018
It goes without saying the Japanese currency's appreciation alone would give America a competitive advantage in its bilateral trade with Tokyo as "Made in Japan" products become more expensive to Americans.