Bonds/Interest Rates

A brief look at important company events and economic data releases next week.

Forget “sell the fact”. Are stock and commodities markets now in a win-win situation? Big jumps last night including 220 points in the Dow would tend to suggest so. (Locked for subscribers until 10:00 AEDST)

A snapshot of economist responses to today’s retail sales and trade balance data, both of which were weak. Glenn? I say Glenn? Y’there Glenn?

Eight out of eight Hold recommendations tell the story – Westpac’s result and forecasts are neither hot nor cold.

With the RBA lifting rates this week the Australian dollar has pushed above parity against the US currency and further gains are seen as likely.

Well at least the QE2 revelation, which was sufficiently in line with expectation, is now behind us. Dow up 26, Aussie now worth more than the greenback.

Stong capital flows have boosted Asian currencies against the US dollar in recent months and with policy normalisation measures expected to continue Commonwealth Bank sees this trend continuing.

Anticipation of a Republican landslide along with QE2 comfort pushed stocks higher and the US dollar lower last night. Dow up 64.

Prudence has dictated that the RBA should make a preemptive strike on inflation with a 25 basis point rate hike.

Contrary to economist expectations, the RBA had lifted its cash rate to 4.75%.