Archived News for Finance Sector Professionals
The nation’s business conditions have remained largely unchanged, with mediocre confidence continuing to plague the business community according to NAB’s monthly business survey.
Rates on hold as global growth stagnates
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced it has left the nation’s official cash rate unchanged at 2.75 per cent, following the board’s meeting earlier this week.
Confidence won't mean salary boosts finds Hays
Despite 40 per cent of businesses expressing confidence in the economy over the next year, and 68 per cent predicting increased business activity, employees shouldn’t expect to see a little extra something in their pay packets according to international recruitment specialists Hays.
Growth lower than expected
Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures show that GDP, in seasonally adjusted volume terms, grew 0.6 per cent in the March quarter 2013.
Up the target urges new WWF report
Increasing the carbon price’s emission reduction target from 5 per cent to 25 per cent by 2020 would have a marginal impact on the economy, according to the latest economic modeling released by WWF-Australia.
CAD narrows finds ABS
Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures show that in seasonally adjusted, current price terms, the current account deficit decreased $6,249m (42 per cent) to $8,510m in the March quarter 2013. Exports of goods and services rose $2,450m (3 per cent) and imports of goods and services fell $3,130m (4 per cent). The primary income deficit fell $681m (7 per cent).
Fair Work decision sees modest increase
The Fair Work Commission has handed down its National Minimum Wage decision, which will see a 2.6 per cent increase to the nation’s minimum wage.
ABS tracks tentative retail increase
The latest ABS Retail Trade figures show that Australian retail turnover rose 0.2 per cent in April 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a fall of 0.4 per cent in March 2013.
Inflation under control finds report
An independent report into the costs of living has found that inflation has been largely kept under control, rising by an estimated 0.2 per cent in May, following a 0.3 per cent increase in April.
Australia stumbles in OECD ranking
A downturn in Australia’s mining output and worries of Chinese growth has driven the OECD’s Australian growth forecast down to 2.6 per cent.
Dwelling approvals records slight April rally
National dwelling approvals have recorded a slight upswing in April, recording the first rally in 2013 according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Government introduces infrastructure tax incentives
The Federal Government has introduced legislation before Parliament that will aim to provide incentives for infrastructure projects.
Consumer sentiments fall again
Consumer sentiment has taken a battering in May, with the lowest reading of the Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment falling by 7 per cent over the last month.
ABS releases business details
The number of actively trading businesses in Australia increased by 0.4 per cent between the 2010–11 and 2011–12 financial years, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today.
BSI on the mend in April
The Commonwealth Bank’s Business Sales Index (BSI) has continued its rally, posting a 0.5 per cent increase in trend terms in April, representing a 4.9 per cent growth in annualised figures.
Investments at peak finds BREE
Investment in major resources and energy projects has peaked at $268 billion, according to the latest report by the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE).
Corfield named new Aussie chief
Home loan service Aussie has announced the appointment of Ian Corfield as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer.
Older Australians to be able to contribute more to super
The Federal Government has introduced legislation before Parliament that will allow Australians over 60 from July, and those over 50 from July 2014, to be able to contribute up to $10,000 more to their super at the concessional tax rate.
Investment to peak at $85 billion
Resources sector investment is set to peak in 201 at $85 billion, according to the latest figures released by international energy market experts Wood Mackenzie.
Budget secures Murray funding
This week’s Federal Budget has secured funding for the rollout Murray-Darling Basin reform, delivering on a range of key reforms according to Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke.