Digital Finance Analytics (DFA) Blog
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The RBA has made a supplementary submission to the Financial System Inquiry. Of note, they want to limit the extent to which SMSF’s can borrow, especially for property purchase; acknowledges the potential systemic risk from more housing lending, and the potential impact on business lending; and continues to be skeptical about the potential benefits of … Continue reading “RBA Reinforces Current Policy Settings”
In the Opening Statement to House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics today, Glenn Stevens made the following points: not only are funding costs low, but banks want to lend and are competing to do so more actively than they have for some years; net worth per household has risen by about $120,000 over the … Continue reading “Where Capital Growth In Property Lives”
The ABS released their latest data on Residential Property Prices today. The total value of residential dwellings in Australia was $5,196,355.9 m at the end of June quarter 2014, rising $112,598.5 m over the quarter. The mean price of residential dwellings rose $9,900 and the number of residential dwellings rose by 37,600 in the June … Continue reading “House Price Momentum Slowing As Value Reaches $5.2 Trillion”
At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 2.5 per cent. Monetary policy remains accommodative. Interest rates are very low and for some borrowers have continued to edge lower over recent months. Savers continue to look for higher returns in response to low rates on safe instruments. Credit growth … Continue reading “RBA Leaves Rates On Hold – Again”
The ABS published their data today on Building Approvals to June 2014. The number of dwellings approved fell 1.1 per cent in June 2014, in trend terms, and has fallen for six months. The seasonally adjusted estimate for total dwellings approved fell 5.0% in June following a rise of 10.3% in the previous month. The … Continue reading “Building Approvals Fall In June – ABS”
The ABS today published its latest population data, to December 2013. The preliminary estimated resident population (ERP) of Australia at 31 December 2013 was 23,319,400 people. This reflects an increase of 396,200 people since 31 December 2012 and 85,100 people since 30 September 2013. The preliminary estimates of natural increase recorded for the year ended … Continue reading “Australian Population Now 23.3 Million”
The Treasury today announced a review seeking feedback on the types of products which would be appropriate for people approaching or in retirement with a focus on ensuring they do not out live their savings. The Government’s superannuation election commitments include reviewing: the regulatory barriers restricting the availability of relevant and appropriate income stream products … Continue reading “Government To Review Retirement Income Rules”
The ABS just released their Mar 2014 Quarterly Building Activity data for Australia. The seasonally adjusted estimate of the value of total building work done rose 3.7% to $21,822.5m in the March quarter, following a fall of 0.4% in the December quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate of the value of new residential building work done … Continue reading “Building Activity Up In March Quarter – ABS”
The draft report was released today. In a layered document, it sets out a series of 28 observations, and possible options for ongoing consideration. The main observations are set out below: • The banking sector is competitive, albeit concentrated. The application of capital requirements is not competitively neutral. Banks that use internal ratings-based (IRB) risk … Continue reading “Financial System Inquiry – Interim Report”
Reflecting on the ABS data released today, and already covered here, and putting that into context of our household surveys, we think momentum is changing and the housing sector could stall in coming months. Demand for new finance fell 0.8% in May. Whilst refinancing remains quite buoyant, thanks to low rates, investors appear to be … Continue reading “Housing Sector Likely To Stall”