by Stephen Roberts | 1 Aug, 2022 | Economic Weekly, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts, Market Commentary
Financial markets rallied strongly in July with the notable exception of the Chinese markets. The bond, share and credit buying spree drew on perception that peaking inflation may give central banks cause to reduce the size and pace of future rate hikes, even though...
by Stephen Roberts | 18 Jul, 2022 | Economic Weekly, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts, Market Commentary
Shortages of labour are a major problem facing most private and public sector employers in Australia. The extent of the problem is illustrated in the June labour force report issued last week and showing the unemployment rate down at a 48-year low 3.5%. Over the last...
by Stephen Roberts | 11 Jul, 2022 | Economic Weekly, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts, Market Commentary
When economic data are released, they relate to periods weeks or months earlier. Later this week the June labour force report will be released reflecting a survey conducted in the first two weeks of June. Beyond the six-week reporting lag in the June labour force...
by Stephen Roberts | 4 Jul, 2022 | Economic Weekly, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts, Market Commentary
Financial markets traded weaker in June with the notable exception of the Chinese markets. The growing risk of recession down the track loomed large in June as high inflation prompted several big central bank rate hikes with the prospect of more to come and quickly to...
by Stephen Roberts | 27 Jun, 2022 | Economic Weekly, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts, Market Commentary
High inflation and central banks starting to front-load monetary policy in response brought the prospect of recession into sharper focus in June even though current data readings still show firm economic growth. Inflation is proving slow to peak challenging central...
by Stephen Roberts | 20 Jun, 2022 | Economic Weekly, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts, Market Commentary
Inflation running much higher than central banks expected previously is causing them to rethink the appropriate monetary policy response to tame inflation. Most, including the RBA, are admitting that demand growth is running faster than growth in supply of goods and...
