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Economics

Sunrise sunset

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 31 JAN 2017
Markets don't expect the Bank of Japan (BOJ) to alter monetary policy settings after it concludes its 30-31 January meeting. Just as well for indications remain ambivalent.

Happy sentiment holding up

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 31 JAN 2017
Economic, business and consumer confidence in the single currency area started the New Year where they left off - buoyant.

Consumer-powered

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 31 JAN 2017
US personal spending jumped by 4.5% in the year to December the fastest rate since November 2014.

One week delivery

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 30 JAN 2017
The butcher, the baker and the candlestick-maker - read, the Mexicans, Iranians, Iraqis, Syrians, etc. - may not like Trump's latest signed order banning some refugees and Muslims from setting foot on US soil (though this was later given a 90-day temporary ...

Australia must curtail its debt binge in 2017

ALEX BURKE  |  FRIDAY, 27 JAN 2017
Australia's highly levered economy could pose serious problems down the road, according to a new Columbia Threadneedle report.

A world of distrust: Edelman

EMMA RAPAPORT  |  FRIDAY, 27 JAN 2017
More than half of Australia's wider population distrusts institutions including government, business, media and non-governmental organisations.

No wolf here

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 27 JAN 2017
Perhaps it'll still happen, but it's not happening overnight - the "gloom and doom" that international institutions, foreign governments and even the UK's own central bank predicted.

Low prices inflate RBA rate cut chances

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 27 JAN 2017
Were it not for the RBA's concerns over adding more fuel to the overheated housing market, it would be justified to cut the official cash rate sooner rather than later. More so given the renewed strength in the Australian dollar.

Shine, shine, shine, let it shine

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 25 JAN 2017
Thank you strong US dollar. The Nikkei Japan flash manufacturing PMI increased to 52.8 in January from 52.4 in the previous month

A minor slip but still going stronger

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 25 JAN 2017
The strong US dollar (weak euro) is doing it for the single currency area. Although down slightly to a preliminary estimate of 54.3 in January (from 54.4 in December), the Markit flash Eurozone composite output index is the second highest reading since ...