Bonds/Interest Rates

Commonwealth Bank suggests the US dollar might move higher in the next few weeks, which would possibly impact on Australian stocks.

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

Wall Street opened stronger and then proceeded to go nowhere on minimal volume. Dow up 68.

Australia posted stronger than expected labour force data for November.

Westpac economists report Australian consumers’ expectations for unemployment rose slightly in December.

The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Index of Consmer Sentiment fell modestly in December.

The US dollar bounce continued last night as a credit downgrade for Greece invoked echoes of Dubai. Dow down 111. (Locked for subscribers until 10:00 AEDST)

The National Australia Bank Monthly Business Survey for November showed a further small gain in business confidence, supporting an upward revision in the bank’s growth forecasts for the economy.

A pall of disinterest settled over Wall Street last night as Ben Bernanke quelled any renewed fears of a rate hike. Dow up one point.

The ANZ Job Ads series rose 5.2% in November, reversing the fall recorded in October and supporting the view the recovery in the Australian economy remains on track.