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Cecile Lefort

Today

Australian beef sales to the US surged last year.

Why 2025 could be a bumper year for these Australian farmers

The agriculture sector may be in for a stellar 2025 but much still depends on the weather, Trump’s tariffs, and the war in Ukraine.

This Month

Trailers at the Port of Baltimore in the United States. The Australian dollar has fallen below a key threshold when measured against important trade partners.

ASX to drop as markets fret currency slump will put off rate cut

The Australian dollar has fallen below a crucial threshold when measured against important trade partners, complicating the RBA’s assessment of interest rates.

ANZ thinks a cut from the RBA next month is likely after fresh inflation data this week.

ANZ joins forecasters betting on February RBA rate cut

It and Commonwealth Bank agree that mortgage holders may finally get some relief next month, but they are the only two majors predicting that.

Local shares are set to open higher.

ASX falls; Westpac gets downgrade; Star dives 17pc

Australian shares closed lower on Friday, banks drop. ANZ calls February rate cut. Star extends losses. Oil and iron ore advanced. The Aussie hits new two-year low.

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Treasurer Jim Chalmers has admitted the budget will be “a bit weaker” than forecast in May, as Deloitte warns of a record-breaking deterioration in the bottom line.

Labor’s social spending budget blows out by $26b

The Albanese government’s spending on aged care, disability, medicines and childcare – where it will campaign – is $26 billion higher than first budgeted.

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Why the falling $A could delay RBA rate cuts

The Aussie dollar hit a fresh two-year low, prompting strategists to raise the alarm that it will hold up inflation and may delay the first RBA rate cut of 2025.

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Best books of 2024.

The books Australian economists loved in 2024

The Shortest History of Economics by Andrew Leigh ranked as one of the most popular books among our most prolific readers.

Financial Review economist survey.

Reserve Bank rate cut hopes skirt federal election decider

Stubborn inflation, a tight jobs market and weak productivity thwarted interest rate relief in 2024. The Financial Review’s economist survey predicts that will change in May.

December 2024

Traders watch Fed chairman Jerome Powell’s press conference in Washington.

Shares, dollar slammed after Fed walks back rate cut plans

The Australian dollar tumbled to a two-year low and investors sold off stocks after US policymakers predicted just two rate cuts in 2025 – fewer than the market hoped for.

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RBA governor Michele Bullock.

Traders dial up bets for February RBA rate cut

Money markets are slowly dialling up expectations for an early cut from the Reserve Bank in 2025. It’s a different story for New Zealand, which is now in a recession.

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Here’s where you can get more bang for your buck this Christmas.

Why Australians should ditch Europe this Christmas

After a dire year for the currency, those heading to the northern hemisphere should consider looking elsewhere to get the most bang for their buck.

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Local shares are set to open higher.

ASX snaps five-day losing streak as banks climb; Data3 dives10pc

Shares advance on Commonwealth Bank rise. Rio Tinto and BHP to build ‘green’ plant. Another Star Entertainment departure. Oil slips and gold holds steady. Follow updates here.

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Former Bendigo and Adelaide Bank chief executive Marnie Baker, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Australian National University professor Renee Fry-McKibbin.

What economists think about the RBA’s board shake-up

Renee Fry-McKibbin and Marnie Baker’s appointments were met with mixed reaction, with markets still betting on a one-in-two chance of an early 2025 rate cut.

Miners take ASX lower; Star Gold Coast CEO resigns

Shares drop; Insignia confirms Bain bid; Iress eyes dividends; Macquarie cuts Ventia share price; South32 wins on Worsley; subdued start for DigiCo; Morningstar cuts Mirvac, Woodside. Follow updates here.

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AFR

CBA’s relentless rally in five charts

The stellar advance in Australia’s biggest bank makes no “logical sense” to investors, yet the shares keep grinding higher. Here’s why.

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Local shares are set to open higher, as megacap techs rallied anew.

ASX extends losses as Downer, Ventia tumble

Shares slip; jobless rate drops to 3.9pc; Coronado gets green light for Queensland mine; oOh!media to cut costs; Cettire confirms block sale; Pilbara CEO loads up on stock. Follow updates here.

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Andrew Lilley at Barrenjoey says the bond market pricing about RBA cuts is appropriate.

Bond market eyes at least three rate cuts in 2025

Strategists at Barrenjoey, Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan back early rate cut from the Reserve Bank after an RBA pivot.

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ASX touches two-week low; tech sells off as traders await US CPI

Investors await November’s CPI report. Cettire block trade changes hands. Google-parent Alphabet soars. Follow updates here.

RBA governor Michele Bullock addressing the media on Tuesday.

Bond traders eye back-to-back rate cuts

The Reserve Bank surprised the market by dropping a long repeated phrase that kept rate hikes still on the cards. Traders are now rapidly adjusting their expectations.

Plans for a bolder effort to bolster growth in China has the ASX poised for a positive start.

ASX closes lower; RBA did not discuss rate cut

ASX closes lower despite paring losses after the Reserve Bank of Australia keeps the cash rate at 13-year high. Mining stocks rallied, while bank and tech stocks dropped on wave of profit-taking.

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Original URL: https://www.afr.com/by/cecile-lefort-p4ywcg