Daily FNArena News - FYI

This week features an avalanche of data both here and abroad, and a few rate decisions.

Standard Chartered’s chief economist is another who believes the global credit crunch is not over, but is now entering Phase II.

Weekly musings from your editor. Yesterday’s false start has been followed up by one story you don’t want to miss.

…the warning signals are once again sounding among America’s investment and commercial banks.

Weekly musings from your editor. Not. It’s a conspiracy, surely it must be. Your editor will try again tomorrow.

US personal expenditure numbers for the first quarter will make for interesting reading this week along with a revised first quarter GDP. Credit demand will be key for Australia.

Shane Oliver takes the view the market has seen its lows and will finish the year higher than it is now, but allow for a short-term correction after the recent rally.

Unlike the US and British banks, European banks have been deathly quiet about their balance sheets. And a European economic downturn appears inevitable.

Macquarie has surveyed 1,000 financial planners in Australia and found most remain bullish on equity markets, while clients are increasingly turning to structured products to generate returns.

ANZ suggests there are enough positives to believe the Australian dollar can make further gains against the US dollar, with parity a possibility.