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Economics

China crashlands back to GFC days

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 9 MAR 2016
The recent upswing in equity and commodity markets hit the China wall, stalling or reversing following reports of worse-than-expected Chinese trade figures.

Market confidence marches in March

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 7 MAR 2016
Has the global outlook changed that much as the calendar turned to March?

With pretty numbers like these, who needs a rate cut?

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 4 MAR 2016
Expect Gov Glenn to start using his jawbone sometime soon again if the A$'s appreciation persists. Failing that, there's always the rate cut option.

Another standout economic performance

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 3 MAR 2016
While the latest National Account numbers painted a picture of 'what was' in the December quarter, it also indicates that the domestic economy has started 2016 on a more solid footing and stronger momentum.

Crouching services, contracting manufacturing

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 2 MAR 2016
While these have helped keep GDP growth (6.9% in 2015) close to last year's 7.0% target, the trend from the factory and services sector PMI surveys suggest that the economy continues to lose momentum and that more needs to be done.

A "must do" for the ECB

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 1 MAR 2016
While month to month fluctuations in annual inflation rate readings could be discounted, the risk is that persistent low inflation/deflation could lead to low inflation/deflation expectations.

A "chilling" moment for the RBA

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 29 FEB 2016
Not an "expert" soul expects a shift in policy at this meet but a few anticipates a move down sometime this year, with the earliest being a 25bps cut in May.

Financial services adding more to economy than mining

MARK SMITH  |  FRIDAY, 26 FEB 2016
Financial services contributed more to the economy than any other industry in the 12 months to 30 September 2015, according to a joint Financial Services Council (FSC) and UBS report.

ZIRP to bring back "animal spirits"?

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 26 FEB 2016
The question now is would another cut (cuts) in interest rate finally unleash Australian companies' "animal spirits"?

Australian wages grow slowest on record but real is better

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 25 FEB 2016
The Wage Price Index - total hourly rates of pay excluding bonuses - grew by 2.2% in the year to the December quarter, easing from the 2.3% rate in the third quarter.