A quick update on Brexit; the RBA outlook; where we stand with the Federal election; and Australia being put on negative watch by S&P. Next week the focus will be on consumer and business confidence in Australia, and the Bank of England in the UK. Show More

A week on from the Brexit decision, the outlook remains decidedly uncertain. Equity markets have rallied back, as has the AUD. But sterling remains near its lows amid expectations of further easing. It will be September/October before new leadership takes over in the UK and the formal exit process can... Show More

This week has been all about confidence; jobs; and, in the US, the FOMC. Next week we turn to the UK for the Brexit vote. &feature=youtu.be Show More

The Westpac–Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment dipped 1% in June to 102.2, consolidating May's 8.5% surge on the May rate cut. For all the details, see: https://wibiq.westpac.com.au/wibiqauthoring/_uploads/file/Australia/2016/June/er20160615BullConsumerSentiment.pdf Show More

In this week's edition, Chief Economist Bill Evans assesses the implications of the Q1 GDP report for the June RBA meeting and beyond. The RBNZ also meets this week; a summary of our NZ team's expectations are also included herein. https://wibiq.westpac.com.au/wibiqauthoring/_uploads/file/Australia/2016/June/WestpacWeekly20160606.pdf Show More

A quick summary of the key themes apparent in this week's Australian Q1 GDP report. Plus looking ahead to the RBA and Chair Yellen next week. Show More

This week the focus is on Australian Q1 GDP; the ECB; and finally come Friday, on nonfarm payrolls in the US. The weekly essay in this edition covers off on our expectations for Australian GDP. https://wibiq.westpac.com.au/wibiqauthoring/_uploads/file/Australia/2016/May/WestpacWeekly20160530.pdf Show More

This week in Australia, we start the run to Q1 GDP with the key CAPEX survey and construction work done release. In NZ, the 2016 Budget is handed down, while our Westpac-MNI China consumer sentiment survey is released for May. Finally, in the northern hemisphere, durable goods gives an update... Show More

Minutes from the RBA and FOMC will provide further clarity on the outlook for policy this week. We also await an update on the Australian labour market: wages on Wednesday; then jobs and unemployment on Thursday. https://wibiq.westpac.com.au/wibiqauthoring/_uploads/file/Australia/2016/May/wkly20120516.pdf Show More

In this week's edition, we assess the key considerations for the RBA in coming months and investigate the impact that the May rate cut and 2016 Federal Budget have had on consumer sentiment. &list=PL29442364793B8CE9 Show More