Bonds/Interest Rates

Wall Street panicked last night over double-dip fears ahead of an afternoon recovery. Dow down 53. (Locked for subscribers until 10:00 AEDST)

Australian capital expenditure numbers for the December quarter were stronger than anticipated, adding weight to expectations for a rate hike next month.

China has stepped up sales of US Treasury bonds in recent months and it is feared political retribution may be intended at a time when the US desperately needs foreign funding.

Rates will stay low for a long time, said Bernanke to Congress, and Wall Street was soothed once more. Dow up 91.

December quarter wages in Australia rose less than the market had expected.

A big drop in US consumer confidence, along with flagging European sentiment, sent Wall Street south once more last night. Dow down 100.

It was a light volume calm before potential stormy weather ahead on Wall Street last night. Dow down 18.

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

Commonwealth Bank’s Business Sales Indicator has closely tracked Australian retail sales in recent months and its latest reading suggests a flat outcome in January.

The Fed raised its discount rate after the Wall Street close, sending Dow futures tumbling.