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Economics

All eyes this week on RBA governor speech: economists

Reserve Bank Governor Ian Macfarlane will this week outline the global economy's impact on Australia, with analysts watching hawkishly for any indication of future policy.

OECD says recovery slowing in US, eurozone

Economic recovery is on track in the worlds biggest industrialised countries but is slowing somewhat in the United States and the eurozone, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said today.

Unemployment rate 5.6% in March: ABS

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 8 APR 2004
Australia's unemployment rate was a seasonally adjusted 5.6% in March, compared with an unrevised 5.9% rate in February, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said today.

Consumer inflationary expectations rise sharply in April

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 8 APR 2004
Consumer expectations of inflation in the coming year rose sharply this month despite recent developments suggesting less upward pressure on prices, a new survey has shown.

RBA decision to leave rates unchanged no surprise

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 8 APR 2004
The Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) decision to leave interest rates unchanged in April has come as no surprise to economists who expect rates to remain on hold for a while yet.

Fed Budget year to date February deficit of $4.455 billion

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 8 APR 2004
The federal Budget was $4.5 billion in the red eight months into the financial year, due largely to higher education costs at the start of the school year.

Interest rates remain on hold in April

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 7 APR 2004
Homebuyers can look forward to the Easter break without fear of higher mortgage repayments after the Reserve Bank of Australia today left interest rates on hold.

Consumer sentiment rises in April

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 7 APR 2004
Australian consumer sentiment has risen in April, with households feeling confident about their personal financial outlook.

Housing market slowdown arrives "with a vengeance": Westpac

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 7 APR 2004
The housing market slowdown has arrived "with a vengeance", Westpac Banking Corp chief executive David Morgan said yesterday.

Employment growth likely returned to solid levels in March

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 7 APR 2004
Australia's employment growth was likely to have returned to more solid levels in March but there was weakness ahead as the housing sector continued its downturn, according to economists.