Hi all, A quick note to offer guidance on the new website. As well as the layout changes that make it easier to access content for new readers, it comes with a dramatically improved sign-up and resubscription process, greatly enhanced speed, and a much better mobile experience (since 95% of traffic is now phone!). The
In recent weeks, the news surrounding the Australian housing market has gone from bad to worse, with commentary from bank analysts that mortgage demand has fallen significantly, with some observations seeing demand from property investors down as much as 50%. In a recent appearance on Channel 7’s ‘Sunrise’Â Shadow Attorney General Michaelia Cash and Housing Minister
UBS has issued a deleveraging alert as war resumes, and semis reverse, though it’s relatively moderate. US Equity L/S The indicator was re-activated on Thursday last week following a three-day pause and remains “on” as of yesterday (US holiday Friday). Equity L/S cut >2std of gross on Thursday, while gross flows were muted yesterday. Gross outflows have
When the Albanese government unveiled its target of building 1.2 million new homes over the 5 years from July 2024 to June 2029, it was met with skepticism from a range of property and housing construction experts. The skepticism was entirely understandable, considering that in the 12 months prior to the start of the so
The RBA says so. The Reserve Bank is concerned that the recent explosion in data centre investment could compete with Australian businesses for workers and resources, making its fight against inflation harder and contributing to interest rates staying higher for longer. Economists say the RBA is right to be worried, given the investments are occurring
The gas cartel is evil. East coast gas producers are ramping up informal talks this week with manufacturers as they hunt for alternative ways of meeting buyers’ concerns about unaffordable gas and try to head off the forced oversupply of the market envisaged under Labor’s gas reservation scheme. The talks, which include some overseas investors
We can all remember Chalmers 1.0, when he and his mate Lord Charlton were too gutless to put any kind of gas tax on the warmongering gas cartel. This decision, above all else, triggered years of inflation and real wage falls. Now, we have Chalmers 2.0, again, as the treasurer’s economy rolls into a new
If there is an all too common thread in the Albanese government’s communications with the electorate, it’s that everything is fine enough and if there are problems factors other than the government are to blame. From a political perspective, it quantifiably works, with the government’s ‘Everything is awesome’ strategy helping to deliver it the strongest
Not sure what else you’d call this. Oil rises as Treasury revokes June 21 Iran oil waiver Hormuz Threat Level Raised To “Severe” Three maritime incidents reported on Hormuz in last 24 hours Another unidentified vessel hit by a Drone IRGC forces hit a Saudi Tanker IRGC forces hit a Qatari LNG tanker Oil is diminishing. This. The US military said
In the months prior to the recent federal budget, data suggested that mortgage demand was beginning to trend downward. Against a backdrop of deeply depressed consumer confidence and falling per capita real consumer spending, it was arguably an entirely expected set of circumstances. When assessing mortgage demand through the lens of the Reserve Bank’s credit
At the last federal election, the Coalition faced its most devastating defeat ever, reduced to a shadow of its former self with a record low 43 lower house seats. Since then things have got worse, much worse. According to a recent analysis of the current crop of polling by Mark the Graph, the Coalition has
FIFA has long been known to be one of the most corrupt bodies in world sport. Put it together, and you have a clear picture of corruption. First, there was the farce of the peace prize. Next up, we’re all subjected to quarter-time breaks in air-conditioned stadiums for extra ads from which Donald Trump gets
ANZUS is dead. We need an entirely new continental defence strategy. The launch of a nuclear-capable long-range missile from a Chinese submarine in the South Pacific with just hours of notice has angered Australia and New Zealand, who labelled the test destabilising and concerning. The firing of the ballistic missile, fitted with a dummy warhead,
When Liberal Party founder Robert Menzies forged the Liberal Party during the Second World War, he placed a heavy emphasis on home ownership and a stake in society. At the time Menzies did a series of radio addresses to the Australian public, one of which ‘The Forgotten People’ would become legendary. In them he would
Bloxo only pops up occasionally these days, but he’s up and about today. HSBC has issued a warning that Australia’s housing market is about to enter a more widespread decline. Declining home prices predicted to extend beyond Sydney and Melbourne to other major cities. According to chief economist Paul Bloxham, recent price drops are simply
As part of the campaign strategy for the 1992 U.S Presidential Election, political consultant James Carville came up with a slogan that first defined the internal focus of the Clinton and later the broader public campaign for the presidency. “It’s the economy, stupid” Carville concluded that the focus of the American people was on the
Cotality with the great news. The combined capitals preliminary clearance rate found a floor over the past three weeks, holding in the high 40% range. Last week’s early result increased slightly to 49.8%, up from 49.2% the previous week, but remained below 50% for the third week in a row. Across the combined capital cities,
In the weeks since the Albanese government’s latest federal budget was unveiled, there has been a growing chorus of criticism over the government’s changes to the tax system. While some economists and commentators have welcomed the changes to the tax system as they relate to investment in existing property, as Leith covered here at Macrobusiness
If you needed any more elegant proof that the world has changed since Iran, look no further than this: China is poised to fire a nuclear-capable missile with a dummy warhead in the South Pacific in the next 24 hours, according to briefings by Chinese embassies to regional governments on Monday Foreign Minister Penny Wong was
Or, at least, out of fashion. TME. The outcasts that nobody wants Markets have an uncanny habit of punishing consensus. While investors continue chasing yesterday’s winners, positioning data reveal a surprisingly long list of sectors sitting near multi-year lows in ownership. These aren’t necessarily buys—but they’re where the fuel for future reversals may be building.
Hilariously, as a cold snap spikes East Coast gas prices and the Iran war delivers windfall profits, the gas industry has ramped its whinging to 100%. They’ve rolled out good ‘ol industry patsy Wood Mackenzie: Labor’s proposed domestic gas reservation scheme would flood Australia’s east coast market with excess gas supply in the short-term before
In June, the British government proposed mandatory changes on how content is discovered on YouTube and other online video platforms, which would give government unprecedented influence over what content makes it to the screens of viewers. Under the proposed plans there would be a “prominence regime” which could require platforms such as YouTube to give
According to Primara Research, I have never heard of the latest ABS Business Conditions data for June 2026 indicates that 1 in 7 Australian firms are now boosting prices in reaction to gasoline costs, up from 11% to 15%, 36% more enterprises than last month. It’s mining, construction, wholesale, transport: these are the input expenses
The ferrous complex is trying to hold $100. It may succeed for a few months with the aid of seasonal tailwinds. Iron ore inventory edged down on the week. Steel inventory jumped and is well above last year’s. MySteel indexes are adjusting down to CISA measures. Prospects for demand remain dim. Property is kaput. Policy
The AFR devoted a lengthy and laborious investigation to One Nation’s funding over the weekend. Perhaps part of the disbelief rumbling through Canberra stems from the knowledge that small-dollar, direct-to-voter fundraising like this isn’t how Australian political parties make their bread in 2026. When asked by AFR Weekend, the Labor Party declined to say how
In recent times the issue of migration has been catapulted to the forefront, with each of the now three major powers in Australian federal politics (as measured by primary vote) pledging further cuts to the intake which currently stands at 301,000. The Albanese government has effectively pledged a strategy of steady as she goes with
