Yesterday
ECB cuts rates as bets build on a summer pause
The European Central Bank has cut interest rates for the eighth time, leaving rates in the neutral zone.
KKR CEO: Don’t believe ‘private equity is dead’ narrative
But Scott Nuttall, the private equity giant’s co-chief executive, predicts a shakeout as higher interest rates bite poor investments made during the pandemic.
Trump renews call for Powell to cut rates as economy slows
Activity at US service providers unexpectedly contracted last month for the first time in almost a year and private companies throttled back hiring.
This Month
US dollar slide threatens super fund returns
The rising Aussie against the greenback is forcing Australia’s biggest investors to increase protection of overseas assets.
Trump’s tariffs could hit growth and spark sell-off: RBA
Donald Trump’s trade war could force businesses to shelve hiring and investment plans and prompt consumers to rein in spending, RBA chief economist Sarah Hunter says.
Why low interest rates aren’t coming back
Cheap money isn’t coming back. Bigger deficits, the energy transition and investment in AI mean the cost of borrowing will be higher in the years ahead.
ASX to rise despite US recession fears growing
Jobs figures will be the first in a series of data points that will show how the world’s largest economy has reacted to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
May
The TACO theory | AI unleashes Telstra | Inside Healthscope’s collapse
This week, what a telco’s plan tells us about the AI boom, the biggest corporate collapse since the pandemic and the new theory moving the market.
Trump tells Powell he is making a mistake by not cutting rates
The president and the US Federal Reserve chairman met at the White House to discuss the nation’s growth, employment and inflation.
Investors shrug at Victorian debt bomb in search for new safe haven
For all the talk about the age of market vigilantism and deteriorating public balance sheets, there’s no lack of interest in Australian state government bonds.
Fed well positioned to wait for clarity on outlook, minutes say
Policymakers judged the risks of both higher unemployment and inflation had risen since their March meeting, primarily due to the potential impact of tariffs.
Are house prices about to take off again?
This week on The Fin podcast, economics correspondent Michael Read on why the Reserve Bank is cutting rates and what it means for people like him trying to buy a house.
Inflation data no barrier to another RBA rate cut
Headline inflation remained within the central bank’s target band in April, bolstering market confidence for further easing
Home buyers’ FOMO ramps up after rate cut
Prospective home buyers are rushing to get pre-approved following the second cash rate cut this year before prices rise even more.
Former Goldman economist splits from market, predicts big rate cuts
Now at Yarra Capital, Tim Toohey says the RBA will slash interest rates more aggressively than expected. Other economists say there’s little chance of that.
Rate moves ahead? | Forrest’s China warning | Melbourne airport melee
This week, the chooks look at Andrew Forrest’s iron ore warning, the path for interest rates, and a battle over one of the country’s busiest airports.
Huge public spending secures soft landing
Interest rates would be a lot lower in Australia were it not for the government spend-a-thon.
Dimon warns of US stagflation risk, says Fed right to hold rates
“I don’t agree that we’re in a sweet spot,” the JPMorgan Chase chief executive said, adding that the US central bank was right to wait and see.
‘Don’t count China out’ in Trump trade war, RBA deputy says
Andrew Hauser says China’s economy is strong enough to withstand Donald Trump’s tariffs and Australian companies remain upbeat about Asia’s largest economy.
The bond market’s dire mortgage warning is at odds with the RBA
If Australians could fix their mortgages “US style” for 30 years as some have suggested they should, we would be staring at decade-high home loan rates.