Cranewatch Some cracking analysis from RLB in its brilliant crane index for the March quarter of 2024. 869 cranes were on sites nationally, not too far off the previous record high for Australia of 882.  Source: RLB The number of residential market cranes fell by 13 over the March quarter, but there have been some offsetting increases, largely due to Amazon's new fulfilment centre construction in Melbourne's Craigieburn The facility will be Australia's largest at more than 200,000 square metres in size across four levels, and will house more than 25 million of Amazon's sales items ..read more

Labour market easing Everyone was watching closely to see if last month's unemployment rate 'shock' to the downside was an anomaly. In March, the unemployment rate did increase, but only fairly moderately in the end from 3.71 per cent to 3.84 per cent, on a seasonally adjusted basis.  Employment fell modestly over the month, down by -6,600, but the total number of employed persons held close to a record high, at above 14¼ million.  The number of unemployed persons, seasonally adjusted, increased by +20,600, to a still modest 569,900. Overall, the lower participation r ..read more

Higher for longer Canada's inflation rate edged up from 2.8 per cent to 2.9 per cent in March. New Zealand saw some ongoing progress, with the inflation rate falling from 4.7 per cent to 4 per cent over the course of the March quarter, though core inflation was a little stickier than hoped for. The UK's inflation rate fell from 3.4 per cent to 3.2 per cent, which was also a little higher than expected, though it was at least a 2½ year low.  You could certainly make the argument that over approximately the past 6 months New Zealand and Canada have seen inflation rates running at ..read more

ausbiz TV I joined Juliette Saly at ausbiz TV to discuss the latest property market themes here (or click on the image below ..read more

Immigration breaks records in early 2024 No respite from the immigration figures in February, with monthly permanent and long-term arrivals surging to a record high at above 153,000. Over January and February 2024, a record 278,000 permanent and long-term arrivals entered Australia. In February, long-term departures slumped to just 46,700, so on a net basis we've seen another acceleration in net immigration to just shy of +500,000 over the year, which is of course a fresh record high.  There is something of a seasonal aspect to this, and hopefully things should prove to calm down a ..read more

New home sales mired at low level Nothing too new here, but new home sales remained extremely low in March, and flat over the March 2024 quarter. Over the March quarter, new home sales were -19 per cent lower than the equivalent quarter 5 years earlier, which doesn't bide well for housing supply.  The Housing Industry Association did observe that the crash in new home sales has been especially market in the housing markets where land prices are high.  New home sales have fallen in half in New South Wales from half a decade earlier, while in Victoria new home sales have fallen by ..read more

Land Cycle Investor On Thursday at 6pm I'll be joining Catherine Cashmore from Land Cycle Investor to do a live webinar and Q&A.  This live webinar is officially for Cashmore's subs, but as a lucky loyal blog reader you can join us for free with the details below: Time: Apr 18, 2024 06:00 PM Australia/Melbourne Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82498439030?pwd=laCsC4azVVOlzCWmzraPLiUxOonvgX.1 Meeting ID: 824 9843 9030 Passcode: 883621 Have your questions ready, and see you there on Thursday.  Oil prices hedge I've been saying to my property clients for a lon ..read more

2-Sense podcast Tune in to this week's podcast with Batesy and I where we discuss how wealth is subjective, housing supply targets, my new co-authored book, and more. Tune in here (or click on the image below): --- P.S. Whenever you’re ready…here are 5 ways I can help you manage your own money and go next level wealth: Boom or Bust – 20 minute online workshop for investors Register for my next free online training - Boom or Bust? How to change your investment plan - book in here You also download a free copy of my e-book The Only 6 Ways to Become Wealthy here ..read more

New book Exciting to see the first copies of our new book coming hot off the presses. You can pre-order from our publisher here (or click on the image below): The book will be on sale next month at Dymocks, WHSmith, Newslink, etc etc... --- P.S. Whenever you’re ready…here are 5 ways I can help you manage your own money and go next level wealth: Boom or Bust – 20 minute online workshop for investors Register for my next free online training - Boom or Bust? How to change your investment plan - book in here You also download a free copy of my e-book The Only 6 Ways ..read more

State of the Markets podcast I joined the king Owen Rask for the March 2024 version of State of the Markets. Tune in here (or click on the image below): Or you can watch the video version here: --- P.S. Whenever you’re ready…here are 5 ways I can help you manage your own money and go next level wealth: Boom or Bust – 20 minute online workshop for investors Register for my next free online training - Boom or Bust? How to change your investment plan - book in here You also download a free copy of my e-book The Only 6 Ways to Become Wealthy here.    ..read more