Today
JB Hi-Fi first-quarter sales fall; Good Guys tumbles
The retailer is well positioned in a tougher trading environment, CEO Terry Smart told investors at the AGM .
- Carrie LaFrenz and Simon Evans
Higher shelf prices underpin 3.6pc Coles first quarter sales increase
But the supermarket giant said that price growth persisted, even as it moderated in fresh foods, meat and in baked goods.
- Carrie LaFrenz
Yesterday
- Opinion
- The AFR View
RBA must show independence on material inflation risk
The Treasurer’s pre-emptive insistence makes it even more important that the new governor and her board actively demonstrate the central bank’s political independence.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- Jim Chalmers
Albanese fears RBA rate rise fallout - with good reason
The Albanese government knows if rates move again, as now seems inevitable, it’s going to get whacked, regardless of the cause.
- Phillip Coorey
Overseas student boom shows signs of slowing
There are very early indications that the seemingly unstoppable growth in international students might be tapering off.
- Julie Hare
At this salon, services inflation is proving hard to trim
The average price of hairdressing and personal grooming services increased by 6.7 per cent last year. At one Sydney salon, it means a shampoo, cut and blow dry will cost $200 from next week.
- Ronald Mizen
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
What 680,000 toy cars tell you about interest rate pain
Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci says mortgagees and renters are hurting. But Wednesday’s inflation surprise leaves the RBA facing the prospect of lifting rates several times.
- Updated
- James Thomson
Markets lock in pre-Christmas rate rise
Bond traders are certain of a cash rate increase by Christmas, implying a 50 per cent chance of a follow-up move.
- Cecile Lefort
- Updated
- Interest rates
Chalmers resists RBA rates risks
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has resisted predictions from economists that strong inflation data will force the RBA to raise the cash rate up to two more times.
- Updated
- Michael Read
Woolworths backs Endeavour board, posts 5.3pc rise in Q1 sales
The nation’s largest grocer says falling prices in fresh fruit and vegetables and meat is because of input costs finally receding.
- Updated
- Carrie LaFrenz
‘Assertive’ and ‘transparent’: Economists applaud Bullock’s speech
Economists witnessed Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock’s inflation fighting credentials first-hand on Tuesday night in her maiden speech in the top job.
- Joanne Tran
- Opinion
- Interest rates
Inflation boosts chances of Cup Day interest rate rise
The jump in underlying inflation will be extremely hard for Michele Bullock to ignore as she tries to shore up the RBA’s credibility.
- John Kehoe
This Month
Renters better off than in 2021: RBA’s Bullock
Strong income growth has shielded households without a mortgage from the worst of the cost-of-living crunch, the bank’s new governor says in her first speech.
- Michael Read and John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Bullock squares up for inflation fight in first speech
It took only two minutes for Michele Bullock to refer back to Philip Lowe’s warning about high inflation. She is staying the course.
- Anthony Macdonald
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
The next RBA rate move will be down, says Westpac
The next move in interest rates will be down, says the bank’s economics team, which is now led by a highly regarded former Reserve Bank assistant governor.
- Karen Maley
Hutchinson Builders reports a ‘rubbish’ 80pc slump in profit
The pressures on construction contractors are acute in a regional market such as south-east Queensland, where they continue to compete for limited resources.
- Michael Bleby
Cloudy economic outlook causes chaos in safe haven bonds
Ten-year US Treasury yields breached 5 per cent again before crashing, as investors reposition bets amid a muddied economic picture.
- Cecile Lefort
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Janus Henderson CEO’s three planks for risky markets
Ali Dibadj says uncertain markets are “nirvana” for the global asset manager, which is in the midst of a turnaround.
- Updated
- James Thomson
ASX to fall, weak $A worsens oil pain, rate hike fears
Australian shares are poised to fall 0.9 per cent at the return to trading on Monday, after suffering their worst week in four weeks amid the MidEast conflict.
- Updated
- Cecile Lefort and Ronald Mizen
Gen Z the ‘canary in the coal mine’ on job losses
A sharp rise in the number of unemployed Gen Zers show the jobs market is softening, presenting a challenge for the RBA as it assesses the need for another interest rate rise.
- Michael Read
