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WEEKEND ECONOMIST: European stimulus jolt
COMMENTARY:The current cash rate setting is mildly stimulatory, but given the underwhelming impact of cuts on consumer sentiment thus far, and the events unfolding in Europe, more than a total of 100bps in this easing cycle might be needed.
18 May 2012 6:38 PMWEEKEND ECONOMIST: Growth artifice
COMMENTARY:Australia's steady growth forecasts hide the fact that the resources sector is propping up much of the rest of the economy while global threats still linger.
11 May 2012 6:30 PMWEEKEND ECONOMIST: Rates precipice
COMMENTARY:The RBA has noticeably dropped its inflation and growth forecasts. It now seems every board meeting is alive with the chance of a further reduction to the cash rate.
4 May 2012 8:08 PMWEEKEND ECONOMIST: Rates relaxation
COMMENTARY:This week's CPI data put a May rate cut beyond doubt. With a second cut expected in June, an end setting of 3.75 per cent is most likely.
27 Apr 2012 6:50 PMWEEKEND ECONOMIST: Rounded rate cut reasoning
COMMENTARY:The minutes from the RBA's most recent board meeting have reinforced the case for a rate cut in May, and despite the impact this move will have on financial conditions, another one should follow hot on its heels.
20 Apr 2012 6:33 PMWEEKEND ECONOMIST: A sentimental rate cut
COMMENTARY:A close look at this week's Westpac-MI consumer sentiment index and ABS unemployment data supports the case for two rate cuts in the next three months.
13 Apr 2012 7:45 PMWEEKEND ECONOMIST: Doves of May
COMMENTARY:The RBA sent a fairly clear message this week that further rate cuts are on the cards if the April 24 inflation print is benign. How deep those cuts eventually go, however, depends on whether the banks play ball.
6 Apr 2012 6:02 AMWEEKEND ECONOMIST: Rate cut on demand
COMMENTARY:With Australia's demand conditions materially weaker and its obvious two-speed economy, we can expect the RBA to have cut the cash rate by a total of 50bps by the end of the September quarter.
30 Mar 2012 9:22 PMWEEKEND ECONOMIST: Non-mining malaise
COMMENTARY:The latest Westpac-ACCI survey of industrial trends clearly shows that Australia's non-mining economy is struggling. This fact, combined with a weak labour market, leaves plenty of room for another rate cut.
23 Mar 2012 9:22 PMWEEKEND ECONOMIST: Rate cut revised
COMMENTARY:With the Reserve Bank keeping a close eye on unemployment, the labour market holds the key to the next decision to drop the official cash rate – expect a cut in May or June.
16 Mar 2012 7:21 PMWEEKEND ECONOMIST: Fixated on US unemployment
COMMENTARY:Westpac expects the US economy to grow at low levels with high unemployment in the next few years, but if the sharp improvement in the unemployment rate extends, it could have dire consequences for bond and currency markets.
9 Mar 2012 6:07 PMWEEKEND ECONOMIST: Uneven moderate growth
COMMENTARY:With the national accounts due out on Wednesday, Westpac expects Q4 GDP growth will be bolstered by the mining sector, but tips conditions in the labour intensive industries to be subdued.
2 Mar 2012 6:42 PMWEEKEND ECONOMIST: Tracking Chinese growth
COMMENTARY:Westpac's outlook on Chinese economic growth is clearly different from the Reserve Bank's. While its has remained fixed, the RBA has been focused on iron ore prices and GDP figures.
24 Feb 2012 6:06 PMWEEKEND ECONOMIST: Gloomy global growth
COMMENTARY:The markets are exaggerating a US turnaround, Europe faces headwinds and China will hit a low point. On this outlook, Australia will grow below trend with support coming from the mining sector.
17 Feb 2012 7:20 PMWEEKEND ECONOMIST: Rate cut required
COMMENTARY:The Reserve Bank's statement on monetary policy acknowledges all the reasons for stimulatory policy, but the bank appears to have no immediate intention of a move.
10 Feb 2012 6:08 PM1 - 15 of 199 articles next
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