by Stephen Roberts | 15 May, 2013 | Economics, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts
The Budget helps preserve Australia’s AAA credit rating, will not detract from economic growth through 2013-14 and is better than its predecessors under the current government in that expenditure savings and tax increases will come into effect ahead of... by Stephen Roberts | 7 May, 2013 | Economics, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts
Retail sales were weaker than expected in March, falling by 0.4% m-o-m (market consensus forecast +0.1%), although coming after very strong readings in January and February with each month up 1.3% m-o-m. Even with the weaker result in March the volume of retail sales... by Stephen Roberts | 6 May, 2013 | Economics, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts
Risk assets, including credit, were markedly stronger through April although the trajectory was quite volatile with mixed strength economic readings in the US and Australia, but a softer tone to Asian and European economic readings. During the month, the market’s... by Stephen Roberts | 22 Apr, 2013 | Economics, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts
Improving housing activity usually plays a key role in phases of economic recovery. Rising spending on housing tends to promote stronger retail sales – one of the so-called multiplier effects. Rising spending on housing also tends to boost house prices lifting... by Stephen Roberts | 11 Mar, 2013 | Economics, Laminar Economist Stephen Roberts
Economic growth may be gathering pace in the United States and Australia according to economic releases over the past week adding weight to our view that the Reserve Bank (RBA) is unlikely to cut the 3.00% cash rate any further. Another key consequence of the...