Today
RBA’s radio silence is a telling sign for next week
There’s a lot of money riding on the central bank’s rate decision. While the market and most economists are all but convinced, it’s still a line ball decision.
- Cecile Lefort
US CPI data points to prolonged rate hold: economists
Consumer prices rose at a faster pace than expected last month, and the probability of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve has fallen, economists and strategists say.
- Timothy Moore
US inflation rises broadly, further denting rate cut prospects
Higher prices for car insurance, airfares and a record monthly increase in the cost of prescription drugs paced the rise in core prices.
- Augusta Saraiva
Yesterday
Powell tells Congress Fed still in no rush to lower rates
In his prepared remarks, the Federal Reserve chairman said the jobs markets was “broadly in balance” and inflation expectations appear “well-anchored”.
- Amara Omeokwe
This Month
There’s a reason why investors are flocking to fund Australian states
State governments grappling with credit downgrades have no choice but to pay bond investors more money to fund their ambitious election promises.
- Updated
- Jonathan Shapiro and Cecile Lefort
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Investors should beware Trumping at shadows over tariffs
Be careful of buying or selling the rumour around the president’s policies before seeing the facts. Beware fake news.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Musk’s DOGE madness could actually move markets. Here’s how
Elon Musk’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency is creating plenty of noise. Some in markets are starting to ask: what if it actually works?
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Investing
Ignore what market says on rates and buy these assets instead
Traders are still pricing in less than half a percentage point of US interest rate cuts for 2025, but that assumption is flawed.
- Vimal Gor
US equities fall as hopes for lower rates fade again
Moderating job growth, rising inflation expectations and the prospect of reciprocal tariffs knocked the wind out of Wall Street.
- Timothy Moore
Investors storm bond sale ahead of possible RBA rate cut
More than 100 big investors piled into the new $15 billion 2036 Treasury bonds which received more than $84 billion in bids.
- Updated
- Cecile Lefort
These five economists make a bold prediction on next rate cut
Analysts at Barrenjoey, Deloitte, KPMG, Judo Bank and Oxford Economics are tipping that the Reserve Bank will keep rates on hold on February 18.
- Updated
- Cecile Lefort
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
How this $3trn bond giant plans to win over wealthy families, doctors
The looming bank hybrid ban in Australia is too big for even the biggest asset managers to ignore.
- Anthony Macdonald
S&P threatens to downgrade states as it runs out of patience
“This is your last warning,” is the main message from the ratings agency to big-spending state governments, says a Westpac interest rate strategist.
- Michael Read and Jonathan Shapiro
Meet the most accurate economic forecaster of 2024
The Reserve Bank will cut the cash rate, according to Paul Bloxham, but don’t count on a big drop in borrowing costs as this cycle will be a short one.
- Updated
- Cecile Lefort
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Market panic may be the best protection against Trump’s tariff war
Investors were sure the “Art of the Deal” schtick would mean import duties would be avoided. Now they face a world of “uncontrollable chaos”.
- James Thomson
Western Asset’s Global Bond fund ‘under review’ as Brown exits
Street Talk understands Global Bond portfolio manager Gordon Brown has announced his retirement from the embattled fixed income manager.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
US exceptionalism is peaking: expert
The “magnificent seven” are poised to become the “lagnificent seven” as the tailwinds that have propelled American equities fade, Michael Hartnett argues.
- Updated
- Timothy Moore
January
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Seven questions as the ASX resets its record high
Investors seem prepared to ignore the risks. But with uncertainty high and earnings season on the doorstep, it’s a good moment for reflection.
- James Thomson
What interest rate cuts will mean for your money
February is firming as the month that the Reserve Bank will cut the cash rate, which will have flow-on effects for shares, property and term deposits.
- Michelle Bowes
ECB cuts rates for fifth time as eurozone economy flat lines
Investors maintained bets for further easing, pricing an additional 70 basis points of cuts during the rest of 2025, which would lower rates to near 2 per cent.
- Alexander Weber, Mark Schroers and Jana Randow