Mark Thirlwell is once again joined by Raphael Dixon to discuss the new consumer confidence survey, reavling falling confidence a drop, as well as expectations of an interest rate rise jump. Raph asks the question: doesn't this mean that we don't need to raise rates then because consumer behaviour has factored a raise in? Topic two discusses the unlikely "marriage of convenience" between some renting mellenials and some debt free baby boomers, both hoping for rate hikes And finally, birth rates: how do governments use fiscal policy to encourage people to have more babies? So far, not much seem ..read more

Mark regails us with the vibe on the ground in Canberra. Plus, an around the grounds on: • RBA Minutes • Core logic house and rent price data • Retail sales numbers • Job ads And the number of the weke this week asks; if climate change results in supply shocks become increasingly regular to the point of predicibility, should food inflation still be excluded from core inflation numbers ..read more

Monthly infaltion numbers have come in hot, adding pressure on the RBA to lift rates. What does the upcoming French election tell us about Britain, bonds and post-covid fiscal policy? And does the much hyped Guzman Y Gomez IPO and subsequent share price pop suggest that burritios are recession proof?  ..read more

An end to the era of globalisation has led to developing countries once again falling behind. As the costs of fragmentation become apparent, should a small open economy be doing more to bring back global trade? Plus, continuing resilience in the jobs market, continuing weakness in overall growth, and higher for longer rates in the US ..read more

Global shipping is gummed up again with Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, renewed pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden, and drought affecting the Panama canal. But could it get even worse? Plus, inflation picks up again in Australia and retail sales remain stagnant ..read more

The treasurer had a juggling act to perform in this budget: fiscal repair, cost-of-living relief, inflation reduction and productivity growth were all balls to keep in the air. How did he do? Plus, the job market weakens and wage growth falls ..read more

The yen has plunged to a 34 year low requiring the Bank of Japan to spend billions to prop it up. Why are hedge funds attacking the yen? Plus, we preview the budget, higher for longer interest rates in the US and a weak retail sales number ..read more

A Cook's tour of the global economy: we take in the European malaise, the Trump spectre over the US, the China shock 2.0, and a resurgence in migration ..read more

Inflation remains stubborn in Australia, running hotter in the March quarter than economists expected. Is there now a chance that the next rate move might be up again rather than down? Plus, a slight softening in the jobs market and just how much does negative gearing impact property prices ..read more

Industrial policy is making a comeback globally and Australia wants in on the action. Boosting supply chain resilience, accelerating the net zero transition, and mitigating geostrategic risk are touted as key benefits. But does it stack up economically? Plus, new stricter merger rules and more mixed confidence results.     ..read more