Today
Chalmers reveals another tax revenue upgrade
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has flagged the mid-year update will paint a healthier-than-expected picture of the budget due to a rise in the tax take.
- Michael Read
Yesterday
RBA hoses down early-2025 rate cut hopes
The Reserve Bank board has signalled that a rate cut in either February or April is highly unlikely, saying it needs to see more than one quarter of inflation data.
- Updated
- Michael Read
NSW braces for Trump trade turbulence and bond market shocks
The state’s treasurer has warned an erosion in free trade could make Australians poorer, as the incoming administration weighs imposing costly tariffs.
- Michael Read
This Month
‘Unhelpful’ governments driving up interest rates: BCA
Governments should put hard caps on spending growth to rebuild their finances, preventing the public sector from pushing up inflation, the Business Council says.
- Michael Read
The amount you need to put down for a home deposit is rising fast
Owner-occupiers looking to upgrade now need to stump up a $300,000 deposit, with high interest rates forcing some owners to sell and young people to seek help from mum and dad.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Economists give up on rate cuts. Investors and borrowers can too
Impossibly wedged between predicting the future and giving traders something to discuss, nobody wants to hear from the experts that the RBA is standing still.
- Anthony Macdonald
IMF warns Australia and APEC on budget spending
Managing director Kristalina Georgieva told leaders while it was “remarkable” that inflation was retreating globally without recession, “in many countries it is not reflected in public sentiment”.
- Phillip Coorey
US October retail sales affirm strength of economy
Rate cut bets were pared after a better-than-expected 0.4 per cent rise in retail sales last month and an upwardly revised 0.8 per cent rise in September.
- Lucia Mutikani
Stage three tax cuts to be eliminated by bracket creep: PBO
The budget watchdog estimates the benefits of the tax cuts will be gone by the end of the decade as bracket creep drives personal income tax rates to a record.
- Michael Read
Albanese increasingly likely to face voters without a rate cut
NAB and RBC Capital Markets now expect the RBA to leave the cash rate on hold until May, after the latest practical date for an election.
- Updated
- Michael Read
Fed still on track to cut rates in December: CPI view
The three-month annualised rate of consumer prices increased by almost 0.5 percentage point to 3.6pc in October. Economists say the pace won’t derail another rate cut.
- Timothy Moore
US inflation stays firm for third month with 0.3pc core CPI gain
The figures, along with strong consumer spending and economic growth, will keep Fed officials cautious as they debate how quickly to reduce borrowing costs.
- Molly Smith
Consumer confidence hits 2½-year high as rate rise fears ease
Despite the lift in sentiment, households may need to wait another seven months before receiving mortgage relief.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Dr Doom reveals the big risk you’re not thinking enough about
Nouriel Roubini, the economist who called the GFC, sees Donald Trump’s election as a huge moment. But there’s a big risk Australia needs to watch.
- James Thomson
We all love an upgrade, but MPs need their wings clipped: AFR readers
Readers raised concerns about conflicts of interest, as the scandal engulfing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Qantas perks spread to the Coalition.
- Hannah Wootton
There’s a bright side to Trump’s election win – apparently
Readers’ letters on the upsides of Donald Trump’s victory; the danger of inflation for political incumbents; unwelcome American exports; dogs in the office; and the Chemist Warehouse-Sigma merger.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Top investors share five big ideas for Trump 2.0
As markets struggle to war game a Trump presidency, here are five big ideas that long-term investors can build on.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- US Votes 2024
Markets celebrate a Trumpian revolution
While investors are rejoicing at the prospect of a business-friendly Trump administration, it will also amplify long-term inflation and asset pricing risks.
- Christopher Joye
Central banks, traders brush off fears of Trump-led inflation spike
Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell said the US election would not impact Fed policy after it cut rates and flagged more to come.
- Cecile Lefort
- Opinion
- US Votes 2024
Trump’s win shows voters want lower prices at any cost
The hard truth for Labor is that inflation is kryptonite for centre-left governments, and Anthony Albanese’s record on prices is very similar to Joe Biden’s.
- Richard Holden