The ABS monthly CPI indicator, released today for October, shows headline inflation has remained steady at an annual rate of 2.1%. While this is close to the bottom of the RBA’s target band, the data has been heavily skewed by the government’s temporary energy bill relief rebate and of course the RBA would be happy…
It’s been a tumultuous week for global markets and geopolitics as the US election came to a head, and we had a very predictable outcome from the RBA in their November policy meeting. And there’s some good news ahead for Australia, according to David Robertson, Chief economist of Bendigo Bank, who, in his latest report,…
Australians have long prided themselves on enjoying the good life—sun-soaked holidays, sparkling new cars in the driveway, freshly renovated homes, and indulgent weekends out. But underneath this polished surface, a troubling financial reality is emerging. A recent report from Finder paints a worrying picture: over 6.3 million Australians are falling into debt just to keep…
Almost everyone will experience an unexpected financial loss at some point in their life. In the current cost-of-living crisis, the cost of groceries, utilities and mortgage repayment bills are high enough already, so an added out-of-the-blue expense could be enough to send your finances into a tailspin. From property damage to an unexpected medical emergency,…
Sluggish global markets, high inflation, high cost of living and a heated property market mean our finances are constantly shifting. And even billionaires aren’t immune. Forbes released its annual rich list for 2024 earlier this year, where it showed that there are more billionaires than ever – at 2,781 people across the globe in total,…
The value of home loans in arrears by 30 to 89 days has risen for the seventh consecutive quarter, as more borrowers struggle to keep on top of repayments. It now stands at $14.88 billion according to the latest APRA Quarterly ADI Property Exposure statistics data, released yesterday for the June 2024 quarter. This amount…
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released the July monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. The monthly CPI indicator was 3.5% in the 12 months to July 2024, falling from 3.8% in June, the second monthly drop in a row. This is the lowest result since March 2024. The most significant price rises were Housing…
Foreign cash flowing into Australian homes has surged by an additional $400 million, according to new figures, solidifying Queensland as the new hot spot for overseas investors. Data from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) for the October to December 2023 quarter shows 1,580 residential real estate investment proposals worth $1.9 billion were approved. The…
The average new owner-occupier mortgage in Australia is now $636,597 – a new record high that is set to keep on rising alongside property prices in key states. Over the last 12 months, the national average has risen by $56,357, an increase of $154 a day, despite the fact the cash rate is at its…
The stage is set for the RBA to leave the cash rate on hold next week, despite a rise to Australia’s annual inflation rate from 3.6 per cent to 3.8 per cent. While this is the first rise in annual inflation since December 2022, the result is in line with the RBA’s own forecasts, keeping…
