US Economic Update – US GDP – Q2 2012
US GDP grew by 0.5% qoq in the September quarter, stronger than in the previous quarter but still only modest. The strengthening in growth was due to consumption, housing investment and government spending picking up. Of concern, however, was a decline in business investment. Read more
Base Metals Market Update – October 2012
Metals prices received a significant boost over September, following a suite of policy stimulus announcements by some of the major central banks. In aggregate, base metal prices rose by 10 per cent over September but were 7 per cent lower than levels one year earlier. Read more
Oil Market Update – October 2012
Oil prices weaken in October but remain quite high. Attention now shifting towards the Asian economies, which have surprised markets on the downside in recent months. Near-term forecasts lifted on geo-political risk, 2013 forecasts left unchanged. Read more
ASX 300 Quarterly Business Survey – September 2012
The ASX 300 Quarterly Business Survey captures the views of the ASX 300 business community and is a key peer comparator for companies. It aims to share business insights and an understanding of economic confidence for the quarter. Read more
Chinese Monthly Update – October 2012
China’s economic growth decelerated for the seventh consecutive quarter. However, quarter on quarter growth came in stronger than expected and revisions to previous quarters suggest the near-term growth momentum has actually improved. Read more
Quarterly SME Survey – September 2012
SME confidence and conditions better in Q3 but still below average; sentiment of SMEs now in line with their larger counterparts but activity, capacity utilisation and new orders continue to under perform. Strength in recreation & personal services and transport a consistent theme Read more
Manufacturing Sector Insights – October 2012
This edition explores key topics and issues which have real potential for impact on manufacturers and the concept of optimisation in the context of business models, capital structure, funding profiles, working capital efficiency, approach to risk management and cost base. Read more
Manufacturing Activity Index – Q3 2012
The Manufacturing Activity Index was unchanged in Q3 – despite diverging trends in the index components – remaining at negative levels. The index indicates further falls in Manufacturing growth in the quarter, which remains burdened by global economic trends and the strength of the dollar Read more
Charitable Giving Index – July 2012
The first NAB Charitable Giving Index shows that charitable giving is growing, despite a softening domestic economy, flat employment growth and persistent consumer cautiousness. NAB and data analytics firm Quantium reviewed donations made by credit card, direct debit, BPAY and EFTPOS Read more
Quarterly Business Survey – September quarter 2012
Business conditions improve in the quarter but still soft. However, Monthly survey results suggest conditions weakened towards the end of the quarter. Forward indicators remain very weak. Confidence up a touch but still at downbeat levels – especially mining Read more
State Economic Update – October 2012
Economic conditions in NSW are likely to improve only marginally over the coming year with conditions within the state likely to vary wildly. By all measures, the Victorian economy continues to under perform the national average, with SFD growth slowing to 2.1 per cent in 2011-12 Read more
US Economic Update – October 2012
GDP growth was only 0.3% qoq in the June quarter and partial indictors suggest that is was only slightly higher in the September quarter. This is consistent with the finding of the Federal Reserve’s ‘Beige book’ released this week. Read more
