Bonds/Interest Rates

With its expectations for rate hikes in the US being pushed out Commonwealth Bank has revised its currency forecasts, lowering US dollar expectations and lifting estimates for other currencies.

NAB economists were surprised to see business confidence fall in July given the MRRT resolution and are concerned by a fall in new orders.

Wall Street was eagerly anticipating QE2 last night, on minimal volume. Dow up 45.

A wrap of events affecting the market on Friday night and the weekend and a preview of the week ahead.

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

Wall Street hung slightly lower all session on little volume. Dow down 5. (Locked for subscribers until 10:00 AEST)

Tuesday night saw weak economic data and earnings, and last night saw the opposite. Reverse everything, Dow up 44.

While market conitions are volatile Russell Investments doesn’t see another downturn for the global economy, so the group forecasts sharemarkets end the year higher than current levels.

The RBA’s expectations for inflation – which was contrary to most economists – have come to pass to ensure rates remain on hold.

A snapshot of economist responses to today’s June retail sales and dwelling approvals data, both numbers coming in softer than the market had expected.