Economy

Rismark Home Value Index Release   Read more

The big four banks are capable of cutting interest rates on loans in April while protecting their profits thanks to lower funding costs.  Read more

Annual headline inflation is now 3.5%yr but at 2.5%yr, the average annual underlying inflation rate is at the mid-point of the RBA's 2 to 3% target band.  Read more

The RBA kept rates on hold, again, as expected in October, but is progressively becoming more dovish in tone. The RBA has now hinted at the possibility of cutting rates if needed.   Read more

A warning on the jobs front today with the unemployment rate on the rise. Economists had been expecting the rate to hold steady and warn that there could be tougher times ahead.   Read more

First thing this morning after Wall Street closed, the Aussie futures were up 60 points, so certainly indicating a better day ahead and we ended the day closing about 108 points up.   Read more

The interest rate ‘hold’ decision today marks ten straight months of flat rates; the most stable interest rate environment for five years. Anyone would be forgiven to raise an eyebrow at that; the spectre of an interest rate rise has been lurking since at least March when inflation once again moved above 3%.  Read more

The Dow Jones fell over 600 points, the worst single day fall since December 2008. At the close the index had lost just over 5.5%. The collapse came on the back of Standard & Poor’s downgrade of U.S. debt and government backed mortgage debt.  Read more

It looks like August 2007 all over again as financial markets tumble and panic and fear dominates investors’ decision making. The ASX has fallen 13% over the past fortnight wiping almost 200 billion off the exchange.  Read more

The Reserve Bank Board Meeting for August 2011

• RBA left the cash rate at 4.75%
• The Board is concerned about the pickup in underlying inflation
• A Rate rise was considered
• The Board is looking for an easing in financial market nerves and  improvement in domestic non-mining economic data