Highlights: US core consumer prices lifted in line with the Fed’s 2% inflation target, vindicating June’s rate hike. Slowing credit growth and infrastructure spending is pointing to softer Chinese growth for the June quarter. Australia’s labour market continues to tighten, but employment growth and hours worked have lost momentum and wage growth is subdued. US…

5 June 2017 Bob Cunneen, Senior Economist and Portfolio Specialist                    Australian dollar vs interest rate gap                   Sources:  Reserve Bank of Australia and Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The Australian dollar (AUD) has been surprisingly resilient against…

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.50 per cent.   The global economic expansion is continuing. 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 risks in…

25 June 2018 Bob Cunneen, Senior Economist and Portfolio Specialist                                         Australian home prices Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 6416.0 – Residential Property Price Indexes: Eight Capital Cities, March 2018. Australia’s housing boom over the past…

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…

Highlights: The global economy lost some momentum in the March quarter, but fundamentals remain robust. US core inflation measures are rising, which is flowing through to longer-term expectations and pushing yields higher. The threat of a trade war between the US and China continues to be a source of significant uncertainty for markets. Australians will…

Summary of Budget measures Note: These changes are proposals only and may or may not be made law. From 1 July 2018 Low and middle income earners are to benefit from tax savings of up to $530 per person (or $1,060 per couple). The Medicare Levy will remain at 2%. The $20,000 instant asset write-off…