rba

While avoiding recession is possible, the continuation of restrictive macroeconomic policies for the near term is needed to fight inflation, according to the IMF’s annual economic report card for Australia – and tax reform and stronger housing policies would also help.

Analysts agree Australia’s big four banks are entering 2023 from a position of strength as they pass on rising interest rates to borrowers. Headwinds remain, however, and the total return picture for shareholders looks more complex.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is sticking to its view that inflation will be temporary, despite its poor forecasting track record. Economists aren’t so sure.

With central banks running out of meaningful avenues to impact economies and markets rife with volatility, many investors will be tempted to dial back risk as much as possible.

ASX sinks, RBA’s taper tantrum, Lew hits Myer again The ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) closed around its lows on a busy Tuesday with the long-awaited monetary policy decision released at 2pm sending the market into negative territory. Every sector barring energy, which is benefitting from an OPEC impasse, finished lower with bond proxies including communications and healthcare…

ASX falls but 2% higher in May, Macquarie, Magellan looking to the future The ASX200 (ASX: XJO) fell 0.3% on Tuesday, the first day of winter, with consumer confidence taking a hit as the Victorian lockdown rolls on. Every sector was weaker except energy and materials, which added 1.3% and 0.3% respectively. Healthcare and financials were the…

The cash conundrum facing retirees is well-known and broadly appreciated, yet little is being done to address it. With global governments forced to flood the economy with cheap cash to avoid a depression, the result has been the transfer of wealth from savers, who receive a pittance on their low-risk investors, and borrowers, who are…

When COVID-19 found its way to Australia the health advice was to mandate social distancing by closing businesses deemed non-essential and restricting people’s movement. The economic consequences were tragic – both at the aggregate level and because certain industries and occupations were far more heavily impeded. A broad and bold policy response was required, and…

Nasdaq rally, NZ travel bubble, merger activity sends market higher The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) followed a strong US lead on Tuesday, adding 0.8% with the industrials and IT sectors the key drivers. The risk-on mood boosted Afterpay Ltd (ASX:APT) by 10% and competitor Zip Co (ASX:Z1P) by 9.1% after what has been a difficult few months for the BNPL companies. By far the…

ASX sinks to first loss in a month, retailers powering ahead, materials weaker The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) finished the week on a negative note, falling 0.6%, delivering the first weekly loss in over a month, down 0.9%. It seems the number of divergent outcomes for 2021 is increasing by the day, with talk of an inflation spike, countered…