Westpac credit card data tracker has been massaged to produce more positive results. Note that this release introduces major improvements to our Westpac-DataX Card Tracker Index* including significantly expanded coverage and changes that bring measures into closer alignment with official ABS estimates. These have led to significant revisions to previously published figures and growth rates. The Westpac-DataX Card
Risk markets fell were uneasy overnight on the so-called US-China truce out of the summit between the Trump and Xi regimes with Wall Street falling back despite very solid earnings from Amazon as Meta was dumped more than 11% on AI troubles. The USD reasserted its recent strength against all the majors – except gold
The Albanese government’s 5% deposit scheme for first home buyers, which came into effect on 1 October, had the desired effect on home prices. Cotality’s daily dwelling values index, which covers the five major capital city markets, surged by 1.1% in October, driven by Perth (1.9%), Brisbane (1.6%), and Adelaide (1.4%). Over the October quarter,
Renew Economy loves to boast whenever wind and solar generation spike and comprise an oversized share of electricity generation. For example, on 23 June 2025, Renew Economy boasted that wind generation hit a record across eastern Australia: “According to data from GPE NEMLog, wind and solar set a new output peak of 12,563 megawatts (MW)
Asian markets are generally lower as the Trump-Xi summit concludes with some interesting reactions across other risk markets as well to the possibility of a trade deal – but hold the cheese and get ready for another TACO trade! The BOJ held fire at today’s meeting sending the Yen lower while other undollars are trying
In the debate surrounding housing affordability, it is suggested that a politician pushing for lower home prices would be political Kryptonite: a death knell for whatever party they are attached to. This narrative has been repeated year after year, decade after decade, but is it really as politically damaging as the BBQ-side political commentary suggests?
Australia’s housing market has been on a tear, with Cotality’s daily dwelling values index surging by 1% over the past 28 days across the five major capital city markets, the strongest growth rate in two years: The surge in home values follows the most bullish house price expectations in 15 years, according to Westpac’s monthly
Victoria disease finally has a cure. The state will assist you in shuffling off this mortal coil. Voluntary assisted dying reform has passed the lower house of the Victorian Parliament to applause and embrace. Labor and the Coalition both granted their members a conscience vote. It gave MPs the rare chance to offer – and
Japan and Korea know how to play the king. Anything Japan can do, South Korea can do better? A day after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi laid on the flattery during US President Donald Trump’s visit to Tokyo, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung welcomed him by presenting him with a golden crown. The Korean
In this week’s podcast, Nucleus Wealth’s Chief Investment Officer, Damien Klassen, explores why corporate earnings have remained surprisingly resilient—from pricing power and higher-margin business models to cost discipline and selective AI-driven productivity—and tests how long those supports can hold as wage growth, refinancing costs, and capex pressures build. Join us on Today, LIVE at 12:30