Amid the frenzy of economists calling rate holds and hikes, Westpac is making the most sense today. The bank argues that after a poorer performance in September, employment was stronger than anticipated in October, resulting in growth on a three-month average that was about ½ppt slower than it was six months prior. Moreover, the unemployment
The Market Ear on when things fall apart. Lower high SPX may be carving out a lower high, not a bullish look. 6800 is the key short-term support in futures; lose that and you’re into the channel lows and 50-day near 6750, with the big 6700 zone right below. Source: LSEG Workspace Momentum loss NASDAQ
In October, Chinese banks made 220bn yuan in new loans, a sharp decline from 1.29 trillion yuan in September. Compared to a year ago, the flow of loans increased 6.5%, a record low. Under the hood, corporate loans fell to 350bn yuan from 1.22 trillion yuan, while household loans, including mortgages, shrank by 360bn yuan
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that international education is Australia’s fourth-largest export, earning the country $51 billion in 2024. The ABS generates this fantasy “export” figure by summing student visa holders’ spending on tuition fees and goods and services. In 2024-25, the ABS estimated that student visa holders spent $30.2 billion on goods
The Coalition has committed Australia to a one-party state. The Prime Minister said the divisions in the Liberal partyroom were “a sign for the Australian people of … the clown show they’ve become”. The Nationals-inspired Liberal manifesto includes support for a “technology-neutral” Capacity Investment Scheme – rebadging it the Affordable Energy Scheme – providing taxpayer underwriting for
Wall Street had a very rough session overnight as the AI bubble seemed to show signs of instability with domestic economic concerns following the US government shutdown. Tech stocks led the selloff but it extended across all risk markets although currency markets remained largely on their individual trends as the Australian dollar pulled back after
Irina Slav from OilPrice.com summarised Wood Mackenzie’s Energy Transition Outlook 2025-26 as follows: Global demand for crude oil is projected to continue increasing until at least 2032, indicating that the world is significantly off track in meeting its Paris Agreement goals. Despite trillions of dollars invested in the energy transition, fossil fuels—oil, coal, and natural
Australia’s structural housing shortage is well-documented, with AMP chief economist Shane Oliver estimating that the nation was short at least 200,000 homes in 2024: Former senior immigration department bureaucrat Abul Rizvi believes that Australia’s net overseas migration will average around 300,000 annually under current policy settings, which is around 15% higher than Treasury forecasts. If
A somewhat mixed day for Asian stock markets without a clear lead from Wall Street overnight although this might clear up as the Trump regime turns the lights back on in the US government. Today’s local unemployment print saw the Australian dollar soar higher on the strong result with local stocks pushed lower as the
Jennie George is a former ACTU president and Labor MP for Throsby. George has been a vocal advocate for domestic gas reservation, which the Albanese government has shirked. Last week, George wrote a stunning article in The Australian attacking the Albanese government’s drive for net zero, warning that it will drive up energy costs and