Highlights: Inflation continues to creep higher and is close to or at 2% in major developed markets, although core measures of inflation remain below target. Despite slower-than-expected March-quarter growth in the US, there are signs of a stronger June quarter, including improved consumer spending and business investment. Tariff threats between the US, China and Europe…

7 June 2018 Bob Cunneen, Senior Economist and Portfolio Specialist                                             Global economic activity *The countries collectively known as the Group of Seven (G7) consists of  the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Italy and…

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.50 per cent. The global economy has strengthened over the past year. A number of advanced economies are growing at an above-trend rate and unemployment rates are low. The Chinese economy continues to grow solidly, with the authorities paying increased attention to the…

30 May 2018 Bob Cunneen, Senior Economist and Portfolio Specialist                      Italy’s bond and budget gap to Germany Sources: Sources: NAB Asset Management Services Limited, IMF Fiscal Monitor, Thomson Reuters.  Italy is again in the headlights. After the European debt crisis of 2011-12, Italy managed to…