Shares post worst week in six months as risks converge
Miners and real estate stocks have weighed heavily on the ASX as the exchange comes up against a perfect storm of market headwinds.
The economy
The Reserve Bank's deputy governor Andrew Hauser says Australians are fed up with higher living costs, and want inflation to be brought under control.
Inflation is forecast to have eased during July due to lower electricity prices, but rising fuel costs could reignite price growth down the track.
Labor is proposing an overhaul to the financial advice sector to try to thwart "bad actors" attracted to Australia's huge pool of retirement savings.
Update
RBA holds rates steady, leaves door open to more hikes
Mortgage holders have been spared further financial pain after the Reserve Bank held interest rates steady for a second straight meeting.
The economy
Inflation numbers to bring relief for mortgage holders
The Reserve Bank is widely tipped to keep interest rates on hold, but economists are still warning inflationary risks remain.
Update
Shoddy bank record-keeping hits savers as scammers lurk
Many Australian banks are flying blind when customers ask them to confirm the details of mortgage offset accounts, leaving thousands of borrowers at risk.
A larger-than expected rise in employment will not ease Reserve Bank fears about inflation as rising oil prices compound cost pressures.
Business confidence among Canberra firms has fallen sharply, with more businesses expecting to shrink, cut staff and struggle to make a profit over the next year, according to the Canberra Business Chamber's latest Business Beat report.
A fresh look at consumer and business sentiment this week will provide key insights as Australia battles still-elevated core inflation.
Despite a fall in headline inflation, a larger-than-expected rise in the underlying figure to 3.6 per cent will concern the Reserve Bank.
Weak productivity growth and stifling business conditions are preventing Australia from capitalising on its economic strengths, a think tank claims.
Falling house prices might further exacerbate a slowdown in Australia's economy after GDP growth eased in the first three months of 2026.
Australia's retail sector faces a pincer attack as the war in the Middle East increases costs and pushes consumers to the brink.
Australia could face a recession if businesses fail to keep their inflation expectations anchored, the central bank has warned.
After the Reserve Bank raised interest rates for a third-straight meeting, speculation is mounting that there could be more pain for home buyers to come.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz led to a massive surge in fuel prices in March, pushing the annual headline inflation rate to 4.6 per cent.
Nearly 18,000 jobs were added to the Australian economy in March, but economists are warning it could still prompt the RBA to hike rates again.
The International Monetary Fund has warned of further financial pain on the horizon for Australia as the treasurer heads to the United States for crucial talks.
