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Economics

Consumer sentiment rises modestly to hit new 10-year high

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 11 AUG 2004
Australian consumer sentiment rose again in August to another 10-year high, according to a key measure today.

US lifts key interest rate

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 11 AUG 2004
The Federal Reserve boosted a key short-term interest rate by a quarter-point overnight as the central bank continued its campaign to keep inflation under control.

Housing finance slows in June led by investor market: economists

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 10 AUG 2004
A slowing in Australian housing finance for June, led by a sharp fall in investor demand, reinforced the view that the property market was continuing to cool, economists said on Monday.

RBA says surprising if interest rates do not have to rise again

AAP  |  MONDAY, 9 AUG 2004
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today said it would be surprising if interest rates did not have to be increased again at some stage.

Economists clash over rates and $A

Some of the country's leading economists butted heads in the early hours yesterday morning with disagreement ranging from the value of the Australian dollar, to the next direction in interest rates.

Aust retail sales post biggest rise in three years in June - ABS

AAP  |  MONDAY, 2 AUG 2004
Retail sales jumped 2.1% in June, new figures showed today, the biggest rise in three years but short of the bonanza expected by analysts

RBA to leave rates on hold this month: economists

AAP  |  MONDAY, 2 AUG 2004
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is expected to leave official interest rates on hold this month as a federal election looms.

US: New York oil hits all-time high of $US43.85

AAP  |  MONDAY, 2 AUG 2004
New York\'s main crude oil contract shot to an all-time high on Friday night as a financial crisis at Russian oil titan Yukos unleashed a fresh wave of speculative buying.

Aust imports stubbornly high in June keeping trade deficit wide

AAP  |  FRIDAY, 30 JUL 2004
Australian import growth remained stubbornly high in June, further widening the country\'s trade deficit, economists said on Thursday.

Oil hits record high as Yukos told to stop sales

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 29 JUL 2004
Oil prices hit their highest level in at least 21 years overnight after bailiffs ordered beleaguered giant Russian oil company Yukos to stop sales, threatening further strain on tight international supplies.