Workers better off, earlier budget surplus with productivity nudge
Close to a trillion dollars would be added to the economy if productivity levels were lifted by just 0.3 per cent annually, a new report says.
Economics
Sanjeev Gupta’s deal-making days are over
The sorry state of the Whyalla steelworks represents beginning of the end for the British magnate. The bigger InfraBuild is next n line to fall.
Profit rebound points to improved economic growth
Amid fervid expectations an election will be called as soon as this Sunday, new profit data shows economy-wide earnings rose in the December quarter.
Philip Lowe’s vision for a richer Australia
Ex-RBA boss, now Future Generation Australia chair Philip Lowe, is a ‘glass half full’ kind of man – and he’s on a mission to make us all more optimistic.
Rate cuts to drive growth for SMEs
Despite rising business failures and financial challenges, Australian SMEs are starting to stabilise and MYOB says February’s interest rate cut will drive growth.
Rushed steel rescue will end up costing Albanese much more
Billions of dollars in taxpayer cash have been promised for Whyalla but it’s all on unproven ‘green’ steel bets. The real cost will be keeping the lights on through a drawn-out administration.
‘Use steel bailout funds to retrain’
The $2.4bn rescue package provided to the troubled Whyalla steelworks would be better spent assisting its 1100 workers to transition to new jobs, new research claims.
Star casino attempts a grand deal with no leverage left
The golden rule is, don’t make deals without leverage. Star has none, leaving its board in the worst possible position to fight for survival.
RBA board dissenters unlikely to be revealed
Board members of the Reserve Bank’s new rate-setting committee are unlikely to have their names published if they dissent, as the central bank attempts to reduce ‘noise’ around its interest rate decisions.
Labor dilemma: rebates on repeat or bill shock
Households are set to experience an unprecedented increase in their electricity costs unless power bill subsidies are extended.
Is Amanda Bardwell the one to snap Woolies from its funk?
The new Woolworths boss will need a bolder strategy to turn around the sagging retailer but it’s nearly a mission impossible to now reverse decades of poor execution.
Investing amid volatility during Trump’s second term
As we step further into 2025, financial markets are grappling with a rapidly evolving landscape, raising fundamental questions about economic growth, inflation and investment strategies.
Why ASIC wants to shine a light on the dark markets
Some of the fastest-growing parts of capital markets have largely functioned unseen. Regulators don’t want to be caught short when the next crisis inevitably hits.
Howard Marks on stock bubbles and gold: What gives first?
The legendary Oaktree investor makes the case during an Australian briefing that history is working against Wall Street repeating its rally.
What really happened inside the WiseTech boardroom
Richard White is back in control at WiseTech, but its still not clear in what capacity. The mass exit of directors has left the tech company in a full-blown crisis.
Rate cut no silver bullet for falling living standards
The Reserve Bank’s interest rate cut has been welcomed but business leaders warn that cost-of-living issues persist and more radical measures may be needed.
Only recession can make ‘ruthless’ Victoria great again
Not all is lost. Victoria has a clear competitive advantage across four world-beating exports and these mines won’t run dry. But first there will be pain.
RBA late to start raising rates, says Bullock
Conceding that her predecessor Philip Lowe should have started raising interest rates earlier, Michele Bullock on Friday said the RBA board’s concern it could be acting too late again spurred it to cut the cash rate on Tuesday.
Flat corporate earnings fail to inspire
The market was expecting this earnings season to be flat and it was right, with no clear signs yet of the hoped-for economic recovery.
Hopes for back-to-back rate cuts scuttled after jobs jump surprise
Labor’s hopes of a second consecutive rate cut have been scuttled following the release of ‘incredibly strong’ labour force figures.
Productivity and lack of homes the key issues: NAB chief
Australia is exiting its tough economic times, but the nation still has big issues in property and productivity to deal with, NAB chief executive Andrew Irvine says.
Unlock the capital: Decoding Larry Fink’s next big theme
Financially-stretched governments around the world need to find a better way to drive more private investment in much needed infrastructure. The BlackRock boss says markets can play a role.
The pendulum ‘swung too far left’: BlackRock’s Larry Fink
The most powerful investor on Wall Street tells The Australian that corporate culture is ‘undergoing a reset’ away from its progressive outlook. Larry Fink is moving with the times.
Why Goodman’s AI pivot has a big message for investors
The veteran property investor is replaying the strategy that turned a small commercial property trust into a $70bn industrial powerhouse.
‘Don’t use rates cut as cover to buy votes’
The Reserve Bank’s quarter-point interest rate cut must not be a green light for a pre-election cash splash, economists have warned.
Workers earning more, more slowly
Pay packets grew at their slowest rate in almost three years in the December quarter, supporting the Reserve Bank’s reasoning to finally cut the cash rate on Tuesday.
Here’s why the Reserve Bank reluctantly cut rates
So tentative was the central bank’s first reduction in official interest rates that it begs the question. How much support did the cut actually get around the central bank’s board table?
Long wait for living standards to recover
Households should expect a slow grind before their disposable incomes return to levels reached in the aftermath of the pandemic, fresh Reserve Bank forecasts warn.
One-cut wonder: rates call hands PM election trigger
Anthony Albanese has a trigger for cancelling next month’s budget and calling an April election after the Reserve Bank delivered its first interest rate cut in nearly five years.
‘Reluctant’ RBA rate cut comes with warning not to expect more
Economists warn that the central bank’s cautious approach suggests limited rate relief ahead as inflation concerns and a tight labour market weigh heavily.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/economics/page/4