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Economics

US trade deficit shrinks in May

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 14 JUL 2004
The US trade gap unexpectedly shrank in May as exports shot to a record high, snapping a five-month run of bulging shortfalls, the Commerce Department said overnight.

Jap economy to grow faster than expected in 2004-2005: BoJ

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 14 JUL 2004
Japan\'s central bank said on Tuesday it expects the economy to grow faster than its earlier forecasts in the current fiscal year, but consumer prices were seen marginally lower, in line with its estimates.

Aust business conditions improve in June: NAB survey

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 13 JUL 2004
Australian business conditions improved in June as the domestic economy showed signs of re-acceleration after a slow start to 2004, a new survey has shown.

Aust unemployment rate 5.6% in June - ABS

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 8 JUL 2004
Australia\'s jobless rate has retreated from 23-year lows, rising to 5.6% in June, new figures showed today.

RBA's decision to leave rates unchanged no surprise

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 7 JUL 2004
St George economist Adam Carr said the basic reason for today\'s decision to leave rates unchanged was the need for more time to see how the world economy panned out.

September quarter expectations remain soft, survey

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 6 JUL 2004
Sales and profit expectations fell for the September quarter providing further evidence that the new financial year will be soft, a survey has revealed.

Retail spending to soften over course of year - Costello

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 6 JUL 2004
Treasurer Peter Costello today predicted that retail spending would soften over the course of the financial year as consumption falls away.

Family allowance boosts Australian retail sales in June

The federal government\'s family allowance benefit helped lift Australian retail sales to an uncharacteristically high level in June, a monthly index has revealed.

Australian-Thai FTA signed

Thailand and Australia today signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with confidence growing it will deepened Australia\'s economic links with South East Asia.

Newspaper and internet job ads rise in June: ANZ

The number of Australian job advertisements in both newspapers and on the internet rose in June, although employment growth is expected to slow in the second half of 2004, a new survey has shown.