This Month
The US economy is going backwards. This rally looks bonkers
The latest GDP figures raise the odds of a recession, but markets are surging like Donald Trump’s tariff war is over.
March
Our experts deliver their budget verdicts
What experts Phil Coorey, James Thomson, Jennifer Hewett, John Kehoe, Michael Stutchbury and Lucy Dean thought of Tuesday night’s federal budget.
How Labor plans to respond to Trump trade threats
Donald Trump failed to get a mention in the budget, but the treasurer warned of the economic damage the president’s policies could cause.
Alfred costing the economy $1b a day as Brisbane pummelled
Power remains cut to hundreds of thousands of residents as torrential rain causes flooding across Queensland’s capital.
Chalmers upbeat but economists warn of shallow recovery
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the Australian economy has turned a corner after the strongest GDP growth figures since the pandemic, but economists say any recovery will be shallow.
GDP tipped to grow at fastest pace since 2022 as exports jump
The economy is expected to have grown by 0.6 per cent in December thanks to higher state and federal government spending, resurgent consumers and an influx of tourists.
Business profits rise as economy gains momentum
The jump in profits has fuelled economists’ expectations that GDP figures on Wednesday will show economic growth is finally picking up.
January
US economy ends 2024 with 2.3pc GDP growth on consumer resilience
Consumer spending, which comprises the largest share of economic activity, surged in the December quarter, led by a pickup in motor vehicle sales.
December 2024
UK economy flat-lines in new setback for Starmer government
GDP is estimated to change 0 per cent in the third quarter and officials have slashed expectations for future growth.
There’s a compelling case for RBA reducing interest rates on Tuesday
The board has created expectations of no rate cut at the final meeting of 2024. That’s the mirror of its 2021 error when it implied there would be no rise.
Meet our Business People of the Year | GDP grumpiness | CBA’s rare slip
This week on the Chanticleer podcast, James and AFR Editor-in-Chief James Chessell take you inside the AFR’s Business Person of the Year awards, examine business’ angst over the economy and look at an uncharacteristic political blunder by the Commonwealth Bank.
Australia is now an economic ‘problem child’: McKinsey
Business investment is at recession levels as the country’s productivity growth slumps to 30th out of 35 rich countries, says a new report.
Five reforms Chalmers must tackle to kickstart growth
Taking on big reforms may entail political risks, but the alternative is to continue on a path of genteel decline.
Wesfarmers CEO: ‘We can’t just wait around for rates to fall’
As Rob Scott says goodbye to an unsung hero of his own investment success, he says Australia’s tepid GDP growth can be a rallying point for the private sector.
You’re part of the growth problem, business leaders tell Chalmers
The bosses of BHP and Wesfarmers have called on Labor to overhaul the uncompetitive tax system and reverse changes to IR laws if it wants a private sector recovery.
Chalmers admits business must pull Australia out of growth slump
Jim Chalmers says record government spending is stopping the economy from shrinking, but economists say it is delaying rate cuts and crowding out the private sector.
No amount of lipstick on this pig can hide the economic stagnation
The national accounts make grim reading and are indisputably worse than expected.
This is the problem that CEOs have with GDP
Another tepid set of growth numbers will heap more pressure on the government. But it’s the next 20 years that both sides of politics need to think about.
GDP misses forecasts; Chaos in South Korea; Forrest’s female fund
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Record government spending props up GDP
Public servant pay rises, energy bill subsidies, discounted transport fares and infrastructure spending pushed government spending to a fresh record last quarter.