Highlights: Markets have reacted favourably to the prospect of a ‘phase one’ trade deal between the US and China, which would involve a roll-back of tariffs. Positive developments on the trade front would come at the right time for the US economy, which has suffered from a deterioration in business confidence and investment. The…

  MLC Australia Senior Economist Bob Cunneen speaks to MLC Portfolio Specialist Sinead Rafferty, CFA about another month of strong performance in global share markets, buoyed by optimism about the Phase 1 trade deal between the US and China.

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 0.75 per cent. The outlook for the global economy remains reasonable. While the risks are still tilted to the downside, some of these risks have lessened recently. The US–China trade and technology disputes continue to affect international trade flows and investment as businesses…