by Stephen Roberts | 11 Mar, 2024 | Economic Weekly, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts, Market Commentary
Australian economic growth and inflation have been moderating since early-to-mid 2023 and the call is growing louder (unwarranted in our view) for the Government and the RBA to take policy action to stem and reverse the tide. According to the latest quarterly (Q4...
by Stephen Roberts | 5 Mar, 2024 | Economic Weekly, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts, Market Commentary
The rally in risk assets continued strongly in February with almost all major share and credit markets making gains. The further rally was helped by more signs of soft economic landing for the US as well as hope of government initiatives to prime growth in China....
by Stephen Roberts | 26 Feb, 2024 | Economic Weekly, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts, Market Commentary
Economic data released in February showed most major economies showing slow growth bordering recession. A notable exception is the United States where most economic readings point to improving growth and off a firm base in the second half of 2023. The slow growth...
by Stephen Roberts | 19 Feb, 2024 | Economic Weekly, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts, Market Commentary
Australia’s labour market strength is starting to fade. A weaker labour market will help to cap wage growth and should over time help to bring inflation back inside the RBA’s 2-3% target. A weaker labour market will pave the way for the RBA to start cutting the cash...
by Stephen Roberts | 12 Feb, 2024 | Economic Weekly, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts, Market Commentary
The RBA has made it plain at the first board meeting of 2024 that while the cash rate will be cut at some point, the first move is not imminent. According to the forecasts in the February Statement of Monetary Policy released at the same time as the RBA decision, the...
by Stephen Roberts | 5 Feb, 2024 | Economic Weekly, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts, Market Commentary
Most major stock markets rallied in January driven still by what seem to be incompatible views that growth is proving resilient, notably in the US, but central banks can pivot relatively soon and start cutting interest rates. Stock markets in China and Hong continued...
