economy
Power subsidies and cheaper petrol drive down inflation
25 September
A drop in inflation has been welcomed as a small respite for struggling shoppers but households are being warned prices are set to bounce around and not come down in a straight line. Inflation cooled to 2.7 per cent in the 12 months to August, down...[Read More]
Hints on state of economy as cost relief kicks in
24 July
Experts will scour the first trickle of financial data for early clues on the state of Australia’s economy since tax relief kicked in. The purchasing managers’ indexes for the manufacturing and services sectors land this week, as pay packets...[Read More]
Retail sales rise 0.6 per cent as sales start early
3 July
An early start to end-of-financial-year sales lured in bargain-hunters last month, contributing to a larger-than-expected 0.6 per cent lift in retail sales. The monthly gain beat the 0.3 per cent month-on-month consensus forecast and followed a...[Read More]
Hotter-than-expected inflation leaves RBA in tight spot
26 June
An unexpectedly large jump in the monthly consumer price index is unwelcome news for the Reserve Bank of Australia in its lengthy inflation battle. The monthly consumer price index rose four per cent over the 12 months to May, above expectations and...[Read More]
Captain Chalmers lines up soft landing on narrow runway
12 June
Global headwinds will continue to buffet Australia’s economy as Treasurer Jim Chalmers sets a course for a final approach towards low inflation. Dr Chalmers is confident Australia remains on track for “a soft landing on a narrow runway”,...[Read More]
Consumer spending the wildcard in rate hike uncertainty
22 May
Australian consumers have been saving rather than spending and a change in behaviour could complicate matters for the Reserve Bank, keeping interest rates higher for longer. The minutes from the central bank’s May meeting confirmed a rate hike was...[Read More]
Inflation holds steady but services prove stubborn
27 March
The final stretch to bring inflation back to target is proving challenging, based on fresh data, though that is broadly what the Reserve Bank expected. The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ monthly inflation indicator held steady at 3.4 per cent...[Read More]
Swifties boost spending
13 March
The Australian economy got a leg up from Taylor Swift concerts but the much-anticipated visit was not enough to counter penny pinching elsewhere. Spending as tracked by Commonwealth Bank has been generally subdued and fell 0.3 per cent over the...[Read More]
Millions of welfare recipients to get boost in payments
6 March
Australians on social security are set to receive more money in their pockets when payments are indexed. Those on the age pension, disability support pension and carer payment will pocket an extra $19.60 for singles and $29.40 for couples combined...[Read More]
Consumer price index steady at 3.4 per cent in January
28 February
Australia’s consumer price index held steady at 3.4 per cent in the 12 months to January, coming in below expectations. The index had been widely expected to rise by 3.6 per cent on an annual basis, when the data was released by the Australian...[Read More]
Jetsetters and shoppers spend big as confidence returns
17 January
Australians have begun opening their wallets, with consumer confidence making a comeback amid positive economic signs. Consumers spent an average of nearly $200 more during the 2023 Black Friday and holiday season compared to the year before,...[Read More]
Heated inflation figures put rate hike firmly in play
25 October
The latest inflation data has come in hotter than expected and may stir the Reserve Bank into a Melbourne Cup Day rate hike. Consumer prices as tracked by the Australian Bureau of Statistics rose 1.2 per cent over the three months to September, up...[Read More]
Few plan to spend tax returns as economy stalls
12 July
Just one in 20 Australians plan to splurge on big-ticket items when their tax returns come through, with most opting to squirrel them away or pay down debt. Amid acute cost of living pressures and a string of interest rate rises, surveying by...[Read More]
Inflation surprise as rate of price growth slows in May
28 June
A sharp fall in consumer prices will take pressure off the Reserve Bank, but persistent growth in rents and services will keep further rate hikes in play. The consumer price index sunk back to 5.6 per cent in the year to May, from 6.8 per cent in...[Read More]
2023-2024 Federal Budget Update
10 May
$3 million super threshold confirmed. As expected, the 2023-2024 Federal Budget has placed a strong emphasis on the cost of living and establishing a stronger, secure economy. From an SMSF perspective, we were pleased to see there were no...[Read More]