Economic Trends

The ASX gained 0.7 per cent, closing at a record high, despite earlier, stronger gains being dragged down by disappointing economic news from China. Look back at how the day unfolded on our live markets blog.

There are 100,000 properties sitting vacant in Melbourne during a housing crisis, and it speaks to "deep inequality", a new report says.

Australian shares set a new record high during trade on Friday, where Commonwealth Bank stocks hit a record high, and took BHP's spot as the largest company on the ASX. As it happened.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has kept interest rates on hold for another meeting but predicted inflation will return to target in the second half of the year. Meanwhile, the ASX ended lower at the close of trade on Wednesday.

Substantial discounts and sales saw Australians spending more on clothing and footwear in May. Although it may be good news for retailers, what does the increase in consumer spending mean for inflation and interest rates?

Australian home values grew by 8 per cent in the past financial year. Here's a breakdown of how much you need to be earning to afford a property at the median value in your capital city. 

The ASX, weighed down by the big miners, fell 0.8 per cent  despite the positive lead from Wall Street's S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices closing at record levels on Friday. Look back at how the day unfolded on our live markets blog.

With cost-of-living issues still at large, two experts share their view on whether rigid budgeting is the right strategy to manage household cashflow.

The Australian share market closed lower on Friday, while a report by the ACCC has warned that the eastern states could face a gas shortfall by 2027 — a year earlier than it had previously predicted.

Rental prices have dropped by more than 10 per cent in the past year at a Victorian alpine hub but business owners say more still needs to be done to make housing affordable for workers.

Reactions to the parliament's ASIC inquiry, a look at what's brought wheat prices down and the ASX closes trading higher: as it happened with our business reporters on the ABC News markets blog. 

Energy experts — and even Greenpeace — underestimated solar power's rapid global growth. Now many believe solar is set to become the world's biggest power source within the next decade. But it is falling prices — rather than environmental benefits — that might be driving that change.

Australia's much-discussed narrow path out of the inflation fight is rapidly turning into a highwire act. While one more rate hike from the RBA could cause a recession, holding back if inflation accelerates further will damage its credibility.

Happy financial new year! Look back at the year that was in financial markets; which stocks performed best, what tanked and where analysts are focusing their attention over the coming 12 months. 

The ASX 200 closed down 0.2 per cent after battling back from a sharp fall on opening.  Look back at how the day unfolded on our live markets blog.

An expert panel of top economic forecasters expects the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates two to three times over the next 18 months, with the first cut likely in March.

Why did we make it harder for younger Australians and low-income workers to own homes? Did we forget some wisdom from the past?

A rate rise as soon as August is now a distinct possibility, and will make the government's cost-of-living pitch more complicated.

Nine Entertainment has announced it'll cut up to 200 jobs, ASX trading higher in midday trade. Catch up on the day's events and insights as they happened.

Shadow Minister for Housing Michael Sukkar says the number overseas arrivals since Labor came to power is four times greater than the number of houses built. RMIT ABC Fact Check investigates.

The Australian share market falls despite Wall Street finishing higher. Look back on our blog to see how today's events unfolded.

Australian property prices are expected to increase by as much as 5 per cent in calendar year 2024, according to the June PropTrack Property Market Outlook Report.

A higher-than-expected inflation number has dramatically raised the risk that the Reserve Bank will be forced to hike interest rates again as early as August.

Inflation rose to 4 per cent in the 12 months to May, according to the latest data by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Economists had broadly expected inflation to rise slightly to 3.8 per cent. Catch up on the day's news in the business blog. 

If inflation keeps sinking when the official quarterly figures are released next month, it'll be doubly good news for stretched households. It'll mean slower price rises, and probably an end to talk of further interest rate rises.