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Economics

US and Australia sign free trade agreement

The United States and Australia have signed a trade agreement that officials say will eliminate duties from more than 99 per cent of American manufacturing exports to Australia.

Zurich sells McMillan Shakespeare subsidiary

AAP  |  FRIDAY, 6 FEB 2004
Zurich Financial Services Australia is selling its salary packaging administration and novated fleet management subsidiary McMillan Shakespeare Australia (MSA) to a consortium of management and investors.

Bank of England raises key interest rate to 4%

The Bank of England said yesterday it would increase Britain's benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4%.

Motor vehicle sales continue record run

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 5 FEB 2004
The Australian car industry's record sales run continued in January with manufacturers and importers selling more vehicles than ever before.

Labor tipped to cut MPs super perks

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 5 FEB 2004
MPs and senators could lose their right to retire on $51,000 a year under a Labor plan to bring pollies' super into line with the rest of the community.

Retail sales drop 0.6% in December

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 4 FEB 2004
Retail sales dipped for the first time in a year in December, following two back-to-back interest rate rises, new figures showed today.

RBA rate hikes not over despite steady call: economists

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 4 FEB 2004
Today's decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia to hold interest rates steady this month was widely expected but doesn't mean a rate hike isn't around the corner, economists warned.

RBA holds cash rate at 5.25%

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 4 FEB 2004
The Reserve Bank of Australia today left the Australian cash rate unchanged at 5.25%.

Business conditions ease in December

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 4 FEB 2004
Australian business conditions eased in December and domestic demand was expected to slow in some sectors, according tot he NAB monthly business survey.

Consumer confidence at decade-high: index

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 4 FEB 2004
Australian consumers have more confidence in the economy now than at any time in the past ten years.