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…

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…

Highlights: The global economy is maintaining momentum and inflation is gradually moving higher in line with central bank targets. Growth in US average hourly earnings is still not showing conclusive evidence of a sustained pickup in wages. The threat of a trade war between the US and China is creating significant uncertainty for markets. Euro…

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…

Which key events have been driving markets? Watch this video of MLC’s Senior Economist Bob Cunneen in discussion with Head of Investment Communications Jason Hazell.

Highlights: Perhaps paradoxically, February’s market turmoil was a response to signs that the global economy is reducing slack. US employment and wage indicators led investors to take a more “inflationist” view, with a rise in yields pre-empting future Fed tightening. Price pressures in Europe also appear to be picking up, with PMIs pointing to stronger…

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. Growth picked up in the Asian economies in 2017, partly supported by increased international trade….