This Month
Bullock was right about Australia’s shock absorber against US tariffs
Last week, the RBA governor said the exchange rate would be an important “buffer” in Trump’s trade war. It is what economists call it an “automatic stabiliser”.
March
The ‘protection racket’ theory that explains Trump’s economic strategy
There is one framework for understanding Donald Trump’s economic agenda. Its aim is to reset the global financial and trading system.
January
Winners and losers from the Aussie dollar’s near five-year low
There’s something strange going on with the currency. Expect expensive overseas trips, takeover activity, more foreign buyers in the real estate market and a federal budget boost.
December 2024
This US bank makes a bold call on the $A
The Australian dollar dropped below US64¢ last week, yet the investment giant says it’s time to offload the strong US dollar instead.
October 2024
Erratic Aussie dollar a factor in the RBA’s missed inflation targets
Over the past decade, the central bank’s policy choices have led to exchange rate levels that have made inflation challenges harder, not easier.
July 2024
Alarms, double prices: Japan is getting fed up with foreign tourists
Angst is rising in Japan over what locals are calling an “over-tourism crisis” – and some towns are taking action.
May 2024
Why anger is rising over Japan’s ‘dangerously’ weak yen
Ryohei Kim is furious at the Bank of Japan because of the record-low yen and the impact it is having on his beloved video games.
April 2024
Are we about to witness a rerun of the Asian financial crisis?
Investors are becoming increasingly alarmed as buoyant economic activity and high interest rates in the US risk triggering renewed instability across Asia.
How long before the yen is again a safe-haven bet?
If inflation remains positive and interest rates continue to rise, the yen is likely to eventually strengthen.
Are we on the brink of an Asian currency war?
As tensions over China’s push into high-tech manufacturing flare, analysts warn that it’s only a matter of time before China follows Japan’s lead in competitive currency devaluations.
December 2023
‘Bleeding sore’: Why the $A float 40 years ago was such a big deal
It took a lot of nerve to cut the Australian dollar loose, but former PM and treasurer Paul Keating says it was the moment the Australian economy grew up.
October 2023
FX firm ‘significantly overcharged’ start-up Koala, ex-staffer alleges
Foreign exchange trader Convera overcharged mattress company Koala and demanded the will of late music industry legend Michael Gudinski, a new claim alleges.
August 2023
Six new countries to join BRICS as group seeks to counter G7
Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and United Arab Emirates will become full members of the BRICS group in January.
Bric set to rival US dollar as the world’s new dominant currency
Russia wants Brazil, India, China, and South Africa to help create legal tender that could challenge the greenback in international trade.
July 2023
Bye bye bank fees, as tech cuts out costly foreign exchange pain
Banks will hate it, but tourists and expat workers will be cheering as new tech lowers FX fees across SE Asia, while fintechs compete to transform the world’s largest financial market.
Aussie dollar’s rally may trip on policy meetings, China worries
The currency has been on an upswing this month, but there are some headwinds on the horizon including this week’s US Federal Reserve interest rate decision.
April 2023
Why the Aussie dollar is holding its own in volatile times
If the Australian dollar is showing signs of greater stability, it may also deliver less downside protection in risk-off periods by not falling as much as in the past.
‘Tear it down’: Subprime winner’s hard advice for office owners
Kyle Bass says the only way to solve office oversupply is demolition; Glencore is pulling out the stops to win over Teck investors; the governor of China’s central bank says “sooner or later” markets beat central banks. See how the day unfolded here
February 2023
Why it’s time to hedge your portfolio
As central banks battle inflation a likely ‘revenge rally’ by the US dollar will give investors pause for thought.
January 2023
NAB creates a stablecoin in boost for digital economy
NAB has minted a digital version of the Australia dollar that will be deployed into carbon markets and to reduce costs of sending money overseas.