With growth running at more than 3%, the terms of trade at record levels, unemployment falling, the Australian economy remains in the sweetest of sweet spots for the moment with inflation under control and trending lower.
Consumer Price Index
Central bank calls for CPI to be reported monthly
The Reserve Bank has called for the Australian Bureau of Statistics to move the Consumer Price Index to a more frequent publication schedule, urging that it be published monthly, rather than quarterly.
CPI: Fags up, bacon down
Eggs, bacon and milk are all have all become cheaper over the past year, according to the latest Consumer Price Index figures — but you’ll be slugged extra if you want to read the paper with your breakkie. Craig James rounds up these and other interesting CPI stats.
More than meets the eye to CPI rise
Despite the rate rise hyperbole, there were winners and losers in the December quarter’s Consumer Price Index figures released by the ABS, with the headline rate of inflation halved and the annual rate of CPI jumping.
Dollar’s strength leads to a whiff of disinflation
The cost pressures seen in the September quarter, especially from government cost increases, seemed to vanish from Australian industry in the three months ending December 31.
Inflation: a dummy’s guide
It’s the threat that keeps on giving: Mike Shedlock puts inflation under the microscope: what is it, and how do we measure it?
Blame the states when RBA lifts rates
When the Reserve Bank lifts interest rates next Tuesday and again either in December or February, you can thank the lazy, fat, rapacious State Governments.
Inflation rate lowest in a decade. No big deal
The recession we haven’t quite had continues to dominate the Australian economy. Today’s Consumer Price Index figures — just landed — show the lowest annual inflation rate since late 1999.
Inflation: back on the agenda
With economic signals and market sentiment improving, inflation concern is back. It’s why today’s consumer price index (CPI) data is getting so much attention, says Malcolm Maiden.
CPI figures: inflation reined in but price pressures remain
The RBA is looking at growth, demand levels and unemployment as it approaches rate changes in May, with inflation on the backburner.
RBA rate cuts recede further from view
The Reserve Bank has confirmed that it has lowered its economic forecasts confirming earlier signals.
CPI dips to 11-year low, rate cut now certain
Consumer price inflation fell to an 11-year low in the December quarter, heaping pressure on the Reserve Bank to slash rates next week, writes Glenn Dyer.
Morning Market Report
The highlights and lowlights of this morning’s sharemarket activity.
Inflation up, RBA waits, ASX rebounds, uncertainty reigns
Given that the RBA has already acknowledged that inflation will rise above 3% for some time during this year before easing, the volatility in stockmarkets and the uncertainty it is generating may allow the bank to leave the cash rate unchanged on February 5, reports Glenn Dyer.
Doom and gloom: a global guide
With the US slowing to the point of recession, what’s the outlook for the rest of the world? Glenn Dyer writes.
US inflation still running wild as recession looms
If there wasn’t a looming recession in the US, market analysts, economists and other urgers would be baying for the Fed to lift rates after the country’s consumer price index produced the biggest annual rise in inflation for 17 years, writes Glenn Dyer.
US consumers signal that enough’s enough
If the United States economy isn’t in recession, it’s because of a statistical oddity driven by the still booming export sector, writes Glenn Dyer.
Where inflation hurts
Since the election of 2004 the CPI has risen 8.3% but an actual decline in the cost of clothing and small rises in the cost of household goods and communications disguise the somewhat sharper rises in the price of food, alcohol and tobacco, rents, health and education, writes Richard Farmer.
The Economy: Inflation
Figures released at 11.30am today finds All Groups CPI rose 1.2% in the June quarter 2007, compared with 0.1% in the March quarter. Headline CPI rose 2.1% through the year to June quarter 2007.
Morning Market Report
The highlights and lowlights of this morning’s sharemarket activity.
Kevin Rudd — the housewife’s choice
Grocery prices are the sort of issue governments can’t really do anything about. But it’s the sort of thing that works wonderfully for oppositions. And the timing couldn’t have been better for Kevin Rudd.
Morning Market Report
The highlights and lowlights of this morning’s sharemarket activity.
