News

Inflation remained weak in the December quarter. Headline inflation rose by 0.5% in the December quarter, which was in line with our expectations. For the year to the December quarter, headline inflation rose to 1.5%, from 1.3% in the year to the September quarter. Underlying inflation, which strips out the effect of volatile items like

The Reserve Bank (RBA) left the cash rate at a record low of 1.50% today, as widely expected.  The tone of its media statement struck a more optimistic tone compared with its previous statement in December.  Indeed, the RBA viewed even weaker parts of the economy as a glass half full. The RBA’s take on

The Australian and Global Economic Outlook Globaleconomic growth was subdued last year and this year the pace of economic growth is expected to pick up only marginally to 3.4%, according to the IMF. The pace of growth in the US has picked up in recent quarters and economic growth in China remained robust last year. The domestic economy has lost some momentum.

The number of loans extended to owner occupiers rose 0.9% in November, more than offsetting a 0.6% decline in the previous month. Despite the increase, the annual rate remained in decline at -2.6%, the weakestin two years. Softer growth in owner occupier lending has been offset by a pickup in investor lending. The value of