Daily FNArena News

One US bank analysts suggests loan losses will exceed those of the Great Depression. Not all agree. Australia, nevertheless, should take note.

Copper prices traded at a five month high last week but industry players remain sceptical

Westpac believes China might eventually achieve its 8% growth target, but more likely in H2 2010 than this year.

Australian job ads fell further in March and according to ANZ Banking Group the declines are consistent with unemployment moving above 8% in 2010.

The TD Securities-Melbourne Institute Monthly Inflation Gauge for March fell slightly and this suggests an easing in inflationary pressures, so clearing the way for the RBA to resume cutting rates.

Weekly musings from your editor. A share market bottom in the September quarter?

It is a shorter trading week next week due to Easter but there remains a number of data releases to keep investors informed.

Beware June-July seasonal weakness.

The March measure of the Performance of Services Index rose slightly but remains well below the divide between contraction and expansion, leading Commonwealth Bank to suggest further rate cuts are coming.

We’re not there yet, but better times should be ahead for producers of long steel products, predicts industry researcher MEPS.