This is an edited version of my latest live show, in which Robbie Barwick from the Australian Citizens Party examine the latest in the Senate Inquiry into Regional Banking Closures, the ASIC Inquiry, banks and corporates behaving badly and some of the broader geo-political risks in play.
We look at the latest monthly CPI figures which were stronger than anticipated, and Phil Lowes’ outing in front of the Senate (maybe his last?).
It is highly likely that further rate increases are on the cards, despite the record high debt burden, acknowledge by the Governor. And whilst there was a focus on productivity improvement, the truth is, the war on wages growth continues.
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Set the latest falling building approvals from the ABS, against the rising population thanks to net migration, a rise in building company failures, and rising costs, and its a perfect storm. Housing construction is in a mess!
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Join me for a live Q&A show tonight with Robbie Barwick from the Australian Citizens Party.
We will examine the latest in the Senate Inquiry into Regional Banking Closures, the ASIC Inquiry, banks and corporates behaving badly and some of the broader geo-political risks in play. You can ask a question live.
Higher mortgage rates are starting to catch up on a number of fixed rated holders. Indeed over the next few months, higher home prices and the rate cliff will collide! What may happen?
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The bare bones of an agreement was announced late Saturday night in the US, and assuming its passed on the hill , the debt ceiling crisis looks like it has been postponed until 2025. As the US markets are closed on Monday for Memorial Day, we can expect Asian markets to react first! It is also a Bank Holiday in the UK!
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Lenders are selectively lower the hurdles to make mortgage loans and refinance existing borrowing. According to an AFR article, some are tweaking the serviceability buffers. So we look at the implications, given rates are expected to continue to rise.
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US stocks rose broadly in their last trading day before a long weekend, despite painfully slow progress on debt ceiling negotiations and disappointing inflation data. Chip stocks surged for a second straight day on optimism about artificial intelligence.
Investors were closely watching debt ceiling talks as Biden and McCarthy still seemed at odds over several issues heading into the long weekend, with the U.S. stock market closed on Monday for the Memorial Day holiday. but strategists warned there was still a prospect of a sell-off if debt ceiling negotiations break down. Any agreement would have to pass the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and the Democratic-controlled Senate, with the June 1 deadline fast approaching.
The S&P 500 climbed 1.30% to end at 4,205.45 points. The Nasdaq gained 2.19% at 12,975.69 points, while Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.00% to 33,093.34 points. This means the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended a five-day losing streak, while the Nasdaq Composite Index and S&P 500 closed at their highest levels since August 2022, with the S&P 500 above 4,200 points. And for the week, the S&P 500 rose 0.3%, the Dow fell 1.0% and the Nasdaq jumped 2.5%.
But Data showed U.S. consumer spending increased more than expected in April and inflation picked up, which could prompt the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates again next month. A measure of inflation most closely watched by Federal Reserve officials picked up in April, reflecting the difficult path ahead for economic policymakers as they weigh whether to raise interest rates again to bring down stubborn price increases.
CONTENT*
0:00 Start 0:15 Introduction 0:30 AI 1:24 Debt Ceiling Issues 3:00 US Markets 3:40 US Retail Sales 4:15 PCE Data Higher 5:00 Rate Hikes Coming? 7:20 Treasuries 7:40 Europe 8:20 UK Retail Sales 9:50 Asia 12:30 Oil 13:45 Gold 16:13 Australia 18:50 RBA To Lift Again 21:20 Crypto 22:05 Summary and Close
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