Australia & New Zealand Chart Pack Not living up to their potential Economic growth has continued to ease in both countries in the first half of 2019. In Australia, GDP growth eased to 1.4% y/y in Q2. And while the government’s tax cuts may mean that consumption... 30th September 2019 · 10 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Weekly Falling global rates put pressure on central banks The Governors of both the RBNZ and the RBA argued this week that falling interest rates across the globe reflect structural as much as cyclical factors. Given that central banks elsewhere will... 27th September 2019 · 7 mins read
RBA Watch Rates will probably be cut to 0.75% in October The continued rise in the unemployment rate will probably prompt the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut interest rates to a fresh low of 0.75% at its meeting on Tuesday 1st October. And given that slack... 24th September 2019 · 7 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Weekly Government deficit leaves the RBA out on its own The Government just missed out on achieving a surplus in the 2018/19 fiscal year, which means itis unlikely to deliver any additional fiscal stimulus in the near term. That leaves the RBA to do the... 20th September 2019 · 5 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Data Response Labour Market (Aug.) The unemployment rate rose to 5.3% in August and we think a slowing in employment growth should drive the unemployment rate even higher, to 5.4% by the end of the year. 19th September 2019 · 2 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Weekly Stimulus still likely to boost spending The RBA’s interest rate cuts and the additional tax refunds the government announced in May have yet to boost business and consumer confidence. But lower interest and tax payments will free up around... 13th September 2019 · 5 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Update Trade war still not a major threat to Australia The trade war has probably lowered Chinese demand for Australian exports by curbing investment in factories and warehouses. But the trade tensions have contributed to the weakening of the Australian... 11th September 2019 · 4 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Update What do rising house prices mean for the economy? The recent strong pace of house price gains is unlikely to last as income growth is set to remain subdued. We expect house prices to rise by around 5% next year and in 2021. A rebound in house prices... 9th September 2019 · 4 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Weekly The recovery in Australian growth will be sluggish GDP growth in Q2 was stronger than we had forecast and there is a good chance that growth picks up a bit in the second half of 2019. On that basis, we have revised up our 2019 GDP growth forecast from... 6th September 2019 · 4 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Data Response International Trade (Jul.) The narrowing in the trade surplus in July was probably driven by a decline in export volumes so we doubt that net trade provided much of a boost to GDP growth in Q3. 5th September 2019 · 2 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Data Response GDP (Q2) The solid rise in GDP in the second quarter shows that Australia’s economy has come through the housing downturn with cuts and bruises but hasn’t faltered. Even so, we only expect a sluggish recovery. 4th September 2019 · 2 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Update Interest rates still likely to fall further The RBA sounded a little more optimistic when it left interest rates unchanged at today’s meeting. But with external headwinds intensifying and the labour market set to weaken further, we still expect... 3rd September 2019 · 3 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Data Response Retail Sales (Jul.) & GDP Partials (Q2) The weakness in retail sales isn’t too concerning as most households wouldn’t have received their tax refunds by the end of July. We therefore still expect that GDP growth bottomed out in Q2. However... 3rd September 2019 · 2 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Chart Pack Australian dollar has further to fall At the start of the year, we were a lone voice forecasting that the Australian dollar would decline to US$0.65 by year-end. The Australian dollar has come under increasing pressure this month on a... 2nd September 2019 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Data Response CoreLogic House Prices (Aug.) The 0.8% m/m rise in house prices in August means the housing market is now in full rebound. We expect prices to rise by 5% from their trough this year, and by 10% in 2020 supported by low interest... 2nd September 2019 · 2 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Weekly Current account surplus won’t last long RBA Deputy Governor Debelle argued this week that Australia’s net foreign liability position makes Australia less vulnerable than many believe because its net foreign assets tend to rise when the... 30th August 2019 · 7 mins read
