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Economics

US Federal Reserve holds key short-term rate at 1%

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 29 JAN 2004
The Federal Reserve, not wanting to upset the economic recovery, held a main short-term interest rate at a 45-year low today.

CPI down 2.4% in year to December 2003

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 28 JAN 2004
Inflation dropped slightly to 2.4% in the year to December despite strong rises in the prices of food and holidays.

S&P maintains top investment rating on Australian economy

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 28 JAN 2004
Australia has retained Standard & Poor's highest investment grade rating and a change in government after the next federal election would be unlikely to affect it.

New figures expected to show easing inflation

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 28 JAN 2004
New figures today are expected to show an easing in inflation, providing one less trigger for the Reserve Bank to raise interest rates again.

December quarter final PPI up 0.1%

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 27 JAN 2004
Australia's producer price index at the final stage of production rose 0.1% in the December quarter for an annual rise of 1%, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said.

Economy finished 2003 on strong note: NAB

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 27 JAN 2004
The Australian economy finished the year on a strong note, with business conditions strengthening to near record levels, the National Australia Bank said today.

Regional recovery under way: report

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 27 JAN 2004
The recovery is under way in regional Australia, as consumer optimism lifts and recent rainfall brings a welcome relief to many drought stricken regions.

Vaile warns RBA board on impact of dollar

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 22 JAN 2004
The Reserve Bank of Australia board had to take into consideration the strong dollar and its impact on exporters when it next meets, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said.

IMF says global economy set to beat forecasts

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 22 JAN 2004
The world economy is expanding faster than previously expected, top International Monetary Fund official Anne Krueger said.

New lending figures point to cooling economy

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 21 JAN 2004
New lending figures today pointed to a further slowing of the Australian economy, with a sizeable drop in commerce finance in November.