Biggest jump in terms of trade since 2011
Surprisingly large rallies in key commodity prices have lifted Australia's terms of trade by the most in five years - delivering a boost to national income.
The Economy
We are the ones pushing up the house prices about which we complain
What matters for a tolerable retirement (far more than superannuation) is owning the home in which you live.
Photo finish for Melbourne Cup day rate cut
Lower than expected underlying inflation has two market economists predicting a Melbourne Cup Day rate cut, although neither with much conviction.
Eyes on RBA as underlying inflation slips
Australia's annual inflation rate climbed to 1.3 per cent in September, but the underlying rates, used to guide the Reserve Bank, fell
How multinational tax transparency got killed off
The Turnbull government's voluntary tax transparency code should be dumped.
Housing crisis not just about supply, says Lib MP who wants his inquiry back
The Coalition backbencher who chaired the stalled inquiry into home ownership has appealed to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to restart it
Australians among the 'least open' to foreigners owning new infrastructure
Australians want better infrastructure but they are very wary about foreigners owning it.
Stress matters, but our leaders no longer care
There is much, much more to a good life than jobs and growth, and the head of the treasury ought to know it.
Australia discovers the cost of blocking China in Ausgrid sale
Australia just found out the price of blocking foreign investment.
The way of the magpie: Know your enemy, don't fight them
The clouds are gathering and getting lower by the moment but we can learn from the magpies.
Jobless rate slips in part-time boom
A fall in the jobless rate disguised an overall disappointing September labour market report, which kept alive hopes of another Reserve Bank rate cut.
Looming housing downturn to put 200,000 jobs at risk: Morgan Stanley
Apartment glut is set to trigger a sharp slowdown in construction, putting 200,000 jobs at risk and prompting the RBA to slash rates to 1 per cent next year, the bank predicts.
Why you may never end up paying off your house
Low inflation has 'tilted' our mortgages.
Are global markets ready for Trump or another GFC?
It's unclear what the impact would be in the event of another financial crisis, says Bank of England veteran Dr Paul Fisher.
Welcome to the bottom of interest rate cycle – we hope
There are some encouraging signs that the economy is starting to pick up and will pick up more over the next couple of years.
Even the head of the Treasury is becoming a 'Mum and Dad bank'
So concerned is the head of the Treasury about the cost of housing, he says he is having to help out one of his own children, and that parents like him are endangering their superannuation.
Funds need to invest in housing, says Australian Super chair
Commonwealth Bank wealth management boss Annabel Spring has highlighted the negative effects of record low interest rates for social equity, saying a low-yield world also tends to be a more unequal one.
President Trump could be bigger market shock than Brexit: RBA
RBA governor Philip Lowe says if Donald Trump were to win next month's US presidential election it would be more of a shock to financial markets than the Brexit vote in June, which in hindsight was "benign".
Rate cuts could be needed to fight low inflation: RBA
New Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe has held out hope of further interest rate cuts, saying he needs to guard against inflation expectations falling too far.
Key business group whacks TPP
'Noodle bowl' of agreements is difficult for business to navigate
How tweaking interest rates can transform the economy
The Reserve Bank may have kept interest rates on ice this month, but low rates are already rippling throughout the economy in several important ways.
Parliamentary gridlock benefits ACT economy: report
Gridlock in the senate has been good news for the ACT, according to the latest economic scorecard, with Canberra continuing to dodge cuts to jobs and services.
Housing boom gives retailers $300m reasons to smile
Household goods retailers Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi and Adairs are set to gain from rising house prices, near-record housing approvals, and falling savings rates.
China producer prices rise for first time in nearly five years, CPI picks up
China's producer prices unexpectedly rose in September for the first time in nearly five years, while consumer inflation quickened to 1.9 per cent from a year earlier, also beating market expectations.
Apartment boom risks 'coming to the fore': RBA
The risks of oversupply the Brisbane and Melbourne apartment markets are "coming to the fore", the Reserve Bank warns.
China exports fall more than expected, imports shrink
​China's September exports fell 10 per cent from a year earlier, far worse than expected, while imports unexpectedly shrank 1.9 per cent after picking up in August, suggesting signs of steadying in the world's second-largest economy may be short-lived.
Sydney housing boom has peaked, QBE says
Sydney's housing boom is coming to an end as restrictions on loans to property investors and a raft of new developments depress prices, insurance giant QBE says.
Consumer confidence rises further in October
Consumer sentiment rose for a third month in October as Australians are more optimistic about the economy and their own finances for the year ahead.
Business group lashes PM over deficit, tax scare campaign
Six months ago the business-backed Committee for the Economic Development of Australia presented the Turnbull government with what it said was a clear and practical plan to return the budget to surplus. There were 5 of them in fact, including different mixes of proposals such as better taxing superannuation contributions, halving the tax discount for capital gains, ending negative gearing, boosting taxes on luxury cars, alcohol and tobacco, and taxing the private health insurance rebate.
US risks 'fighting the last war' on inflation: Fed member
The world has changed to the point where low rather than high inflation is the primary concern and the US Fed risks "particularly high social costs" if it underestimates the new reality and raises rates too far and too fast.
Small Business
How to tell your employees are about to resign
The obvious signs are not what you should be looking for.
Australia: stop being so comfortable
Australian-born Israeli start-up guru Guy Spigelman thinks we might be a little too comfortable.