Yesterday
‘Substantial’ risk to GDP growth as firms destock
A surprise fall in inventories could shave 1 percentage point off GDP growth and raises the possibility the economy contracted in December for the first time since the pandemic downturn.
- Updated
- Michael Read
February
GDP growth fears firm on tepid business spending figures
Treasurer Jim Chalmers foreshadowed on Thursday morning that the December quarter GDP growth figure was likely to be “quite weak”.
- Michael Read
Chalmers warns over weak economic growth
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned next week’s GDP growth figures are expected to be weak, as former RBA official Luci Ellis says negative growth is possible.
- Michael Read and John Kehoe
The economic boost from Taylor Swift is a lot smaller than you think
Despite the media hype around “Swiftonomics” and “Swiftflation”, the Australian leg of the Eras Tour is expected to add just $10 million to the economy.
- Michael Read
- Analysis
- Immigration
Immigration could save the US from recession. But there’s a catch
The immigration crisis is fuelling economic growth, according to experts. Others say it can burden cities with huge costs and drive down productivity and wages
- Matthew Cranston
Japan loses spot as world’s third-largest economy
The negative GDP growth piles pressure on the Bank of Japan as it plans an exit from negative rates.
- Erica Yokoyama and Yoshiaki Nohara
January
- Analysis
- US recession
How much longer can the US avoid recession?
Job cuts and softer spending may be the warning signs that it’s too early to say the world’s biggest economy will continue to expand this year.
- Updated
- Matthew Cranston
Yellen, criticising Trump, says Biden’s economy has delivered gains
The Treasury Secretary argued that the Biden administration had successfully navigated challenging headwinds caused by the pandemic and led a recovery.
- Alan Rappeport
Doubts mount over China’s steel, GDP data
Surprising statistics deepen scepticism about the official measures of activity in the world’s second-largest economy.
- Thomas Hale, Joe Leahy and Harry Dempsey
- Analysis
- Inside China
China faces ‘critical year’ to dispel deflation
Beijing has exceeded its growth target for 2023, but the outlook is tougher as consumers remain cautious.
- Joe Leahy and Chan Ho-him
December 2023
- Analysis
- Global economy
Anyone seen that US recession?
The US economy avoided a recession this year but, if history is any guide, it’s still a possibility.
- Matthew Cranston
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Weak GDP shows why households are grumpy
The real income crunch on households is being driven by three factors: high inflation, higher interest rates and rising income tax.
- John Kehoe
GDP misses forecasts; Dan Andrews slammed; Perpetual taps heavyweights
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
November 2023
US economy grew 5.2pc in third quarter, more than first estimated
The latest quarterly estimates show that US GDP grew at its fastest quarterly rate in nearly two years.
- Reade Pickert
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Taxing foreign students will have a terrible cost
A levy will not make Australian universities more resilient, but the opposite. And visa scams and housing shortages should be addressed directly, not with the blunt instrument of a tax.
- Richard Holden
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Economic irrationalism would have Bert Kelly turning in his grave
As our productivity declines and living standards stagnate, we need to find a path back to the formula that helped to transform our economic debate.
- Alexander Downer
Welcome to funflation: a good time has never been more expensive
The cost of travel, movies, dining out and alcohol have soared, and it’s making people rethink how they have fun. For every splurge on Taylor Swift tickets, they’re cutting back elsewhere.
- Ronald Mizen
October 2023
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Max Corden: Vale Australia’s prophet of prosperity
Max Corden established the intellectual, but then politically heretical, case for dismantling Australia’s protectionist tariff wall.
- The AFR View
Signs that rate rises are crunching business investment
A sharp fall in imports of items such as industrial equipment and high-tech machinery could signal that businesses are finally scaling back investment.
- Michael Read
September 2023
Britain’s economy shrinks at quickest pace in seven months
Gross domestic product for July slipped by 0.5 per cent following a 0.5 per cent gain in June, in the face of a sharp increase in borrowing costs.
- Lucy White
