RBA keeps rates at 2.50%

At its meeting today, the RBA decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 2.5 per cent.

Currently things are rolling well according to the RBA, in my conversations with people it is widely varied between industries and workplaces. Some businesses are picking up, others are still flatlining.

Most of my clients are saying general wages growth has been non-existent as well. How are your family travelling? Are you feeling positive about the economy?

View the RBA release here.

RBA lowers rates by 0.25% to 3.25%

At today’s meeting the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) reduced the cash rate by 0.25% to 3.25% pa.

The global economy is slowing further, China taking the heat off is impacting the Aussie world. Commodity prices have been falling, hitting many miners and related sectors. Fortescue being an obvious one having to renegotiate debts. The retail sector has continued to suffer, with the industry crying out for this cut today.

View the RBA release here.

Economy growing strong

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today released unexpectedly high growth results for the March quarter.

What’s the summary? Australian’s are spending well as consumption growth is a key driver in this growth. This should be supporting retailers, but their cost pressures may be biting.

Are you spending more?

RBA lowers rates by 0.25% to 3.50%

At today’s meeting the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cited the rocky markets overseas and came good on the “expected” interest rate drop. 0.25% should shave about $50 per month off the average $300,000 mortgage. What sort of rates will the banks pass on and what impact does it have on you? Comments welcome.

Governed Glenn Stevens’ media release points to European economic concerns, and rising costs of finance for our banks. Amongst other things this lead to a “more accommodative stance of monetary policy”. What do our depositors think?

View the RBA release here

Portfolio Update | IML Market Volatility Update

I am going to introduce market commentary, both personal and from fund managers and economists, to provide an area for your to access some of the key points we see every day. To open we have this interview with Anton Tagliaferro, Investment Director at IML (Investors Mutual Limited).

Mr Tagliaferro addresses some common questions from investors, and the current market volatility.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=d1CDBDb1z9c]

RBA drops cash rate to 4.25%

RDG: Good news for mortgage holders: RBA drops 0.25%. I imagine every mortgage holder will be watching the banks to see what they pass on.

Key points from today’s release include:

  • China has been slowing (RDG: although still kicking our…)
  • European sovereign debt crisis has knocked everyone around
  • Aussie dollar is still high
  • Short-term rates (term deposits etc) have dropped, but credit is still tough for the banks, people are not borrowing
The RBA is aiming to ease into “idle” mode. Interest rates are coming back to longer term averages, term deposits are coming down which I expect will gradual lead people back into investments (which is a good thing).

RBA Logo

STATEMENT BY GLENN STEVENS, GOVERNOR: MONETARY POLICY DECISION

At its meeting today, the Board decided to lower the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.25 per cent, effective 7 December 2011.

Continue reading RBA drops cash rate to 4.25%