economy
Rate hike ‘risks hurting’ fragile consumer sentiment
14 January
Waning consumer confidence could give the Reserve Bank pause as it mulls hiking interest rates at its next meeting. Household spending data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Monday showed consumers were gathering steam late last...[Read More]
High cash rates no barrier to housing boom, data shows
14 January
Three Reserve Bank interest rate cuts were widely credited with accelerating growth in property values last year, but historical data shows the most drastic price surges aren’t always due to falling borrowing costs. The 8.6 per cent increase in...[Read More]
RBA official’s advice to borrowers over inflation data
14 January
The Reserve Bank’s deputy governor has brushed off a surprisingly soft inflation print, reiterating to borrowers they should not expect any more mortgage relief soon. Inflation figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday...[Read More]
Oasis tour tunes up economy but clouds rate cut hopes
14 January
Australians splashed out on Black Friday sales, concerts and sporting events, putting household spending on track to exceed central bank forecasts. Household spending rose one per cent in November, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed on...[Read More]
Trump calls for cap on credit card rates at 10pc
14 January
US President Donald Trump is calling for a one-year cap on credit card interest rates at 10 per cent starting on January 20 but he has not provided details on how his plan will come to fruition or how he planned to make companies comply. Trump...[Read More]
Global economy survives tariff shock but growth muted
14 January
Global economic growth is forecast to decline to 2.7 per cent in 2026 from 2.8 per cent last year before increasing to 2.9 per cent in 2027 – still down from the pre-pandemic average of 3.2 per cent between 2010 and 2019, according to a...[Read More]
National home price hit a new record high in 2025
7 January
Entering the property market just got a bit harder after the national home price reached a record $880,000. The new high in December followed monthly growth of 0.1 per cent, and growth of 8.8 per cent over the year, the PropTrack report released on...[Read More]
Rates hike still on the table despite softer inflation
7 January
A softer-than-expected inflation result will boost the case for the Reserve Bank to hold interest rates steady, but there’s still plenty in the detail to suggest a February hike remains in play. Headline inflation slowed from 3.8 per cent to 3.4...[Read More]
Weaker housing market tipped as rate hike fears mount
7 January
The housing market is tipped to start weaker in 2026 with confidence dented by fears the Reserve Bank’s next move will be a rate hike, a leading property data provider says. Cotality’s national Home Value Index recorded the smallest gain in five...[Read More]
Global minimum tax deal update backed by 145 countries
7 January
More than 145 countries have agreed to amend a 2021 global minimum corporate tax agreement, addressing concerns in the United States that the rules could penalise US multinational companies. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and...[Read More]
New year brings cheaper medicines, higher energy bills
31 December
When Australians wake up to a new year, changes to government payments and policies will impact the finances of millions of households. From Thursday, the maximum cost of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will be slashed from $31.60 to...[Read More]
Self-interest widening wealth gap between old and young
31 December
Is the wealth gap between old and young Australians becoming a gulf? Former federal Treasury secretary Ken Henry has declared young workers are being “robbed” by the tax system, while ex-Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas calls the intergenerational...[Read More]
Boxing Day sales take off with bargain airfares
31 December
With bumper Boxing Day sales under way, shoppers are being cautioned to closely track prices to ensure they’re getting genuine bargains not illusory offers. Two major airlines have also added to the December 26 bargain hunt early on, announcing...[Read More]
Zelenskiy hopeful of new Trump meeting in peace talks
31 December
A meeting with US President Donald Trump will happen “in the near future”, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says, signalling progress in talks to end the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine. “We are not losing a single day....[Read More]
Analysts forecast more gains for price of gold in 2026
24 December
Gold has made its biggest jump since the 1979 oil crisis in 2025 – with prices doubling in the last two years – a performance which might previously have meant forecasts of a big correction. Yet a growing investor pool and factors ranging from...[Read More]