Consumer sentiment boost likely to put pressure on rates
January 20, 2010
A leading consumer confidence reading surged 5.6% in January from 113.8 in December to 120.1 in January as consumers became more bullish on the state of the job market and largely overlooked the threat of rising interest rates. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Index... Read more »
Business confidence on rise but investment intentions remain weak
January 11, 2010
The January Survey of Investor Confidence from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry suggests that business conditions have improved over the December quarter, with most expectations indicators for the next 3 to 12 months moving into expansionary territory... Read more »
Overwhelming majority unsure of their credit profile
January 4, 2010
Eighty-six per cent of Australians have no idea what their credit profile looks like, according to a Newspoll survey, conducted for credit reporting and debt collection agency Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). The Newspoll survey found that 86 per cent of Australians... Read more »
ASIC provides guidance for licensees regarding new consumer credit bill
December 21, 2009
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released further regulatory guidance on the implementation of the National Consumer Credit Protection Act. The scheme is set to replace the present state-based system of consumer credit protection,... Read more »
Mortgage industry in position to grow, non-banks to make a comeback: Deloitte
December 21, 2009
The annual Deloitte Australian Mortgage Report: 2010 positioning for opportunity has revealed strong growth prospects for the mortgage sector in 2010. The researchers noted that the industry had systemically changed in Australia, but saw numerous opportunities... Read more »
Financial conditions improve for Australian households
December 21, 2009
A Melbourne Institute study has found that financial conditions improved for the average Australian household during the past quarter, continuing to add to gains from earlier in the year. The Melbourne Institute Household Financial Conditions Index, which shows... Read more »
Business confidence at seven-year high
December 9, 2009
Businesses remain unperturbed by the impact of interest rates, if the latest business confidence survey is any guide, with confidence surging to its highest level in seven years. The sentiment reading enhances the prospect of strong business spending in the coming... Read more »
Rates to peak in 2011?
December 8, 2009
Economists predict the official cash rate set by the Reserve Bank of Australia to peak at a level around 5.5 per cent in 2011. The annual forecasting survey by Australian Business Economists (ABE), released this week, shows expectations of the cash rate steadily... Read more »
Small business confidence back at boom time levels
December 4, 2009
Australian business confidence has returned to the high levels enjoyed prior to the economic downturn, according to the Sensis Business Index released this week. The quarterly survey began in 1993 and provides the latest snapshot of small and medium enterprise... Read more »
Approvals data mixed, property market still waiting on supply boost
December 1, 2009
The number of private sector houses being approved has risen for the tenth consecutive month, according to the latest ABS Building Approvals figures, however the total number of dwelling approvals slipped. In seasonally adjusted terms the number of private sector... Read more »