Inflation
The squeeze that could shut down one in 10 cafes this year
High interest rates and inflation are forcing consumers to slice their spending. That could end up sending the local cafe broke.
- by Shane Wright
Latest
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Trump’s radical policy agenda looms larger after the shooting
A second Trump presidency could lead to a new breakout of inflation in the US, even as the Federal Reserve board’s independence would be under threat.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Income tax
Yes, we need tax reform, but it offers no easy answers
Surely if we could end the crazy business of bracket creep, we’d pay less tax? Well, yes – but no.
- by Ross Gittins
Exclusive
Cost of living
Ordinary workers ‘can’t keep up’ with mortgages, rent and bills – even with multiple jobs
Working Australians, some with multiple jobs, are inundating financial counselling services at COVID-era levels as interest rates and inflation make life unaffordable.
- by Shane Wright
Rents, weather events and premiums mean fight against inflation not yet won
Australia’s inflation rate has been falling for over 18 months, but rent and insurance inflation are among the household essentials bucking that trend.
- by Rachel Clun
Opinion
Interest rates
The ‘brace position’ that could help some home owners’ budgets
Australian borrowers now know to talk to their lender before they get into serious money trouble – and that’s a good thing.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Early end-of-financial-year sales help lift retail spending
Retail turnover rose by 0.6 per cent in May following two sluggish months of consumer spending.
- by Rachel Clun and Shane Wright
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Donald Trump’s dangerous ideas have these ‘vigilantes’ worried
With Donald Trump favoured to regain the US presidency, a group of investors is starting to focus on the implications of his core economic policies. They’re concerned.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Analysis
Interest rates
The only certainty for your mortgage rate – Reserve Bank uncertainty
The Reserve Bank is supposed to have a handle on how the economy will perform over the next two years. Its minutes show it doesn’t.
- by Shane Wright
Updated
Sharemarket
ASX retreats as tech firms slide; coal miners surge after mine fire
Eight out of the 11 ASX sectors ended Monday’s trading session in the red, with a surge in the shares of coal miners helping to temper some of the losses as the benchmark index fell 0.2 per cent.
- by Millie Muroi
Opinion
Australian economy
Why we’re going into the new financial year carrying last year’s problems
It is difficult to see anything much that will stimulate corporate profits in the remainder of this calendar year.
- by Elizabeth Knight