A flat inflation result for the December quarter opens the way for a rate cut, yes, but watch Greece …
Cpi
Inflation: ‘skyrocketing’ versus ‘softening’ — you be the judge
Life’s hard for an Opposition when a government gets good economic news.
Inflation down — but does it mean a rate cut?
Inflationary pressures are easing again — but it’s the European crisis that will occupy the RBA board next week, not domestic issues, write Glenn Dyer and Bernard Keane.
Strong dollar, shy consumers = inflation on the downside
Thanks to the strong dollar and shy consumers, plus the growing price war between Coles and Woolies, Australian inflation surprised on the downside in the December quarter.
Media briefs: The Age’s uni poison … SMH loves travel
Monday is normally a news graveyard but surely nothing can top the un-bylined drivel (David Rood’s name was later attached to the online version) trotted out in this morning’s Age. Plus, the advertisers want compo for Games and other media news.
Coalition can no longer count on a rate rise
An unexpectedly low CPI number means Labor can breathe a big sigh of relief and go on the attack on economic management, especially with the Coalition back flipping on company tax.
Consumer sentiment shows a pulse, sort of
The Westpac/Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment survey’s index rose 2.7% from April, writes Glenn Dyer.
Across the pond: The US and UK deal with faltering economies
Bad news overnight from the UK and the US as both economies appear to be showing signs of sliding into recession, writes GLenn Dyer.
Inflation climbs, the Aussie dollar follows
Confirmation of a poor set of Consumer Price Index figures for the March quarter won’t draw an interest rate rise from the Reserve Bank, writes Glenn Dyer.
Producer inflation sets the stage for a thumper CPI
Producer Price inflation has risen at almost double the rate forecast, writes Glenn Dyer.
Kohler: a rise for now, and another for Christmas
There will now definitely be a rate rise in November. The only question now is whether there will be another one in December as well, and whether the Reserve Bank will even bother waiting for the December quarter CPI in February to move a second time. As for November 7, the day after its next board meeting, if the RBA did not raise interest rates on November 7, it would be rightly seen as a blatantly political act.
Rates to rise? Goldmans, Merrill Lynch think not
Two leading investment banks say they believe we won’t have an election rate rise, even though one, Goldman Sachs JBWere, has lifted its headline September quarter Consumer Price Index estimate to a worrying 1%, writes Glenn Dyer.
