Is inflation a pending threat to economic recovery?
July 31, 2009
Concerns about deflation are quickly giving way to fears of inflation as economic commentary turns from ‘will there be a recovery’ to ‘what type of recovery will it be’. The latest inflation data from the Melbourne Institute has heightened... Read more »
RBA sees subdued demand for credit
July 31, 2009
The Reserve Bank of Australia has today released their monthly analysis of private sector credit, discovering total credit provided to the private sector by financial intermediaries rose by 0.1 per cent over June 2009, reversing a fall of 0.1 per cent over May.... Read more »
House prices up over 3 per cent in June quarter
July 30, 2009
A new report has shown house prices rising again in the June quarter, consolidating and building on gains made in the March quarter. The Australian Property Monitors report suggested house prices had risen by 3.3 per cent nationally, with the two largest markets... Read more »
Momentum building in housing sector
July 30, 2009
Building approvals surged back from a disappointing May performance, adding weight to the belief that the housing recovery has legs. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the ABS reported that dwelling approvals rose by 9.3 per cent in June, surpassing expectations and... Read more »
Business credit demand bounces off first quarter lows
July 29, 2009
Business credit applications for the April to June quarter of 2009, fell by 2.1%, Veda Advantage’s Business Credit Demand Index has revealed. Although credit applications were still down, this was a steady improvement from the January to March quarter, when... Read more »
New home sales strong in first half: HIA
July 28, 2009
The number of new homes sold moved sideways in June, but were still up by 13 per cent for the first half of the year, according to the Housing Industry Association (HIA), Australia’s largest building industry organisation. HIA Chief Economist, Dr Harley Dale,... Read more »
Bank guarantee has worked as planned: RBA
July 28, 2009
The Assistant Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia believes the Federal Government’s bank guarantee has worked, although it may have inadvertently weakened competition. Malcolm Edey said that the guarantee could have helped stimulate the so-called ‘flight... Read more »
Australian businesses cautiously optimistic
July 28, 2009
Australian businesses have, unlike their global peers, largely avoided the worst of the GFC and remain cautiously optimistic for the 2010 financial year, according to a survey by Ernst & Young. The consultancy firm surveyed 380 executives in June, and discovered... Read more »
Business investment still weak: Access Economics
July 28, 2009
Business expenditure is at a record low, according to Access Economics, and could continue declining in the second half of the year if borrowing conditions remain tight. The forecaster said government infrastructure programs were responsible for almost all the... Read more »
ASIC to consult on dispute resolution requirements for consumer credit and margin lending
July 28, 2009
ASIC has released a consultation paper seeking public comment on proposals designed to ensure that consumers have timely access to dispute resolution if they have a problem with consumer credit or margin lending. The dispute resolution requirements are similar... Read more »