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Economics

Financial stress increases despite relaxed conditions

HARRISON WORLEY  |  THURSDAY, 21 MAY 2020
Australians are more financially stressed than they were before the Prime Minister announced plans to restart the nation's economy, according to latest research.

Chief economist update: Border brawl

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 21 MAY 2020
We've got simmering political and trade tensions with China to worry about but, before we do, we'd best deal with the rising tensions at home.

Australia approaches fiscal cliff: UBS

ALLY SELBY  |  WEDNESDAY, 20 MAY 2020
Government stimulus packages and lender deferrals may have softened the economic blow of the COVID-19 pandemic but with end dates in sight, UBS has warned of an impending fiscal cliff.

Chief economist update: Easing restrictions narrow oil demand-supply equation

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 18 MAY 2020
Easing containment restrictions in an increasing number of countries has improved the outlook for crude oil.

Chief economist update: Pay cut or pay not?

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 15 MAY 2020
The ABS reporting that unemployment sits at 6.2% was surely a relief to many, but the numbers don't reflect those that have received no income from an employer in the last four weeks. If it did, we'd be at 11.7%.

Road to recovery

ELIZA BAVIN  |  THURSDAY, 14 MAY 2020
While it is clear it will take some time for the world to return to what it once was, the focus is now on recovery and what the post-pandemic world will look like.

Chief economist update: Powell blamed for fall on Wall Street

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 14 MAY 2020
From where I sit, this kind of volatility is just the new normal for markets, but everyone is blaming the latest fall on Wall St on Fed chair Jerome Powell.

Australia facing largest ever GDP fall

ELIZA BAVIN  |  WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 2020
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg outlined a bleak future for the Australian economy in a speech to parliament, forecasting GDP to fall over 10% in the June quarter.

Chief economist update: China's beef with Australia

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 2020
Less than five months into the year and it has gone from devastation wrought by the bushfires, the lockdown forced on society by the coronavirus and, just in, a brewing trade war with China - its biggest trading partner.

Chief economist update: Easing does it (again)

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 12 MAY 2020
Easing - this time of social distancing and lockdown restrictions - along with continued policy support from monetary and fiscal authorities has improved financial market sentiment... a lot.