Economic Trends and Indicators

The federal government is attempting to spruik its economic management just as the Reserve Bank is digging its heels in over inflation. With an election months away, it doesn't bode well for Labor.

The ASX 200 edges higher, managing a new record. Better-than-expected retail sales figures dampen rate cut talk. Here's how the day's trade unfolded, with insights from our business reporters, on the ABC News markets blog.

National home prices are losing momentum, new data shows, and anticipated interest rate cuts are unlikely to stop falls in house prices next year.

The decisions the Reserve Bank makes affect the rest of us, and therefore should continue not to be taken lightly — whichever board might make them.

RBA Governor Michele Bullock says Australia's strategy of reducing inflation without stoking too much unemployment is part of the reason why it looks different to peer economies right now.

Despite fading at the close, the ASX 200 still gained 0.3 per cent for its second record close in as many sessions. Look back at the day's events.

Millions of Australians are barely getting by financially, according to polling for the ABC's Q+A. And they give little credit to the federal government for helping out.

Local shares have ended the week on a positive note, while Bitcoin continued to close in on $US100,000. Coles executives were grilled on supplier deals and WiseTech shares fell after its annual meeting. Look back on how it unfolded on the markets blog.

The ASX closed lower on Thursday after Bitcoin set a new record high. Shares in Mineral Resources also sank as the company faced investor revolt after a tax scandal. Coles is facing the ACCC's supermarket inquiry as hundreds of Woolworths warehouse workers went on strike.

The rate of business failures is now the highest it has been since the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is only set to grow as the cost of doing business squeezes companies from all sides.

Minutes from the RBA board's last meeting suggest a rate cut is not assured even if December inflation is low using the Reserve Bank's favoured "underlying" measure, which excludes volatile items.

Do you know what happens when a business enters voluntary administration? We asked an expert to explain in simple terms. 

The ASX 200 bounced back after an early stumble, while NAB was sued by ASIC and the ACCC grilled Woolworths' bosses. Look back at the day's events.

While other central banks have reacted to a sudden drop in inflation, the Reserve Bank of Australia has been reluctant to move, raising questions about whether it may leave rates too high as the economy cools.

The Australian share market closed higher on Friday. Corporate regulator warns of further action against the $4 trillion superannuation industry. Catch up on the day's events as they happened on the ABC News markets blog. 

Australia's unemployment rate remained at 4.1pc in October, as 15,900 more people found employment.

Albemarle has revealed it lost more than $1 billion last quarter and its failed Kemerton expansion project is largely to blame. Analysts say it could forecast an end to lithium hydroxide processing in WA.

Qantas defended itself from allegations of "slot hoarding" at a heated Senate inquiry, while the federal government gave regional airline Rex an $80 million lifeline as its voluntary administration is extended. Catch up on the day's events and insights live on ABC's markets blog. 

The ASX has been dragged down by mining stocks in response to a disappointing new financial rescue package in China. Meanwhile, three Resolute Resources executives, including the CEO, have been detained in Mali over a dispute with the government. Look back at the day's events.

While US shares hit fresh highs on the news of Donald Trump's election, sharp rises in the US 10-year bond rate could mean interest rate cuts are pushed further into the future.