This Month
The enduring legacy of the late Stanley Fischer, a giant of macroeconomics
Stan was at the IMF during the Asian Financial Crisis and played the leading role in formulating the IMF’s response to the crisis.
Stanley Fischer, who spread the macroeconomic gospel, dies at 81
Dispatched on several occasions to extinguish emergencies around the world, the esteemed economist drew academic lessons from his experience with countries in crisis.
May
Stricter US border controls prompt business travel rethink
Executives, academics and government officials travelling to the US are preparing for tougher interrogation or changing their plans.
Chalmers didn’t know a key budget number. This is why it matters
Treasurer Jim Chalmers failed to recognise a $47 billion deficit figure in an oversight that economist Saul Eslake says exposes the government for glossing over so-called “off budget” spending.
April
The ASX stocks that this value investor has been busy buying
New equities boss Tim Johnston says the bull run in growth stocks is finally over, which is good news for investors like him. Here’s what he’s snapped up.
How Trump’s trade war is already infecting the global economy
The IMF chief warns of a “new and major test” as it cuts growth projections on the back of the Trump administration’s tariffs.
Powell draws applause on independence at closed-door IMF meeting
The Fed chair told the meeting central banks must be shielded from politics to do their jobs.
Financial crisis seen as distant threat at IMF meeting
Many experts believe Donald Trump’s trade chaos could trigger the next financial crisis. But the bankers at the IMF spring meeting largely disagreed.
‘Let’s have clarity’: Finance chiefs rue Trump’s tariff whiplash
Finance chiefs in Washington say they are still trying to figure out what Trump wants, as the global economy heads for a slowdown and the chaos keeps going.
Australia faces hit from Trump’s trade war
The IMF has cut its growth forecast for the country by half a percentage point, in a sign it won’t be immune from a global slowdown triggered by US tariffs.
‘A new era’: Trump’s trade war will drag down global economy, IMF says
The forecasts are largely in line with many private-sector economists’ expectations, though some do fear a recession is increasingly likely.
Pope Francis, promoter of more compassionate church, dies
The first Latin American pope worked to make the Catholic Church more inclusive with a focus on poverty and human suffering.
Grill’d burnt over pay; Protesters target PM; Forget 60/40 under Trump
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Global confidence slumps as trade turmoil looms over IMF meetings
The tariff shock and market slide are among rising threats to growth. The outlook deterioration is a marked contrast to the relatively firm start to the year.
Nations try ‘banding together’ in new global trade era
Officials around the world are dashing to diversify their economies. But the fight between the US and China casts a long shadow.
March
How Trump shattered exuberance for the US economy
The predicted US slowdown is remarkable in that it is largely a self-inflicted wound driven by the administration’s own policies, rather than external shocks.
China steps up stimulus amid escalating trade war
Premier Li Qiang warns that “changes unseen in a century are unfolding across the world at a faster pace”.
Reining in the ‘golden age of private credit’
The formerly niche sector is steaming ahead in Australia, but potential investors are being urged to do their homework.
February
Debt-laden Victoria could be paying $15m per match to host NFL
The Victorian government claims hosting LA Rams is a coup for Melbourne, but NSW Premier Chris Minns says his state was asked to pay a ‘king’s ransom’ for the fixture.
Macquarie pivots to private credit, shutters US debt business
The financial services giant will no longer provide traditional loans in the US, having exited the market in Europe. It wants to focus on private credit.