Bonds/Interest Rates

It was another up day on Wall Street, ignoring a collapse in metal prices. Dow up 80.

Australia’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.8% in August but the details tell a different tale.

Weaker retail sales and housing finance numbers for July show the Australian economy is not yet fully in expansion mode.

The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index rose again in September, likely adding weight to the argument for the RBA to lift rates in October.

Wall Street attempted to catch up to the rest of the world last night as the US dollar fell and commodity prices rose. Dow up 56.

The NAB Business Survey for August showed a further improvement in conditions and confidence.

The latest insitghts into job ads in Australia suggests the negative trend is turning towards a more positive outlook.

Stocks advance despite a rising unemployment rate after the August jobs report shows a slower pace of job cuts.

Australian GDP rose by 0.6% in the June quarter, a better than expected result largely reflecting the impact of stimulus measures introduced by the Government.

Government stimulus overcame weakness elsewhere to ensure a positive June quarter of economic growth.