Australian property prices are falling at their fastest rate for five years, thus putting a definitive end to the debt-fueled housing boom. My concern is that this reversal has only just begun. Show More
mortgages
Being able to measure and monitor the true level of mortgage delinquencies across an economy is essential for investors and regulators interested in asset pricing and financial system stability, amongst other things. Prior to the 2008 global financial crisis, rising mortgage default rates in the United States were an important... Show More
This article is by guest contributor, Warren Hogan for FIIG Securities. Warren is an economist and financial strategist, and ex ANZ Chief Economist. Show More
The level of household financial stress in Australia is a key issue. This is because a significant pull-back in the financial position of households would have flow-on effects across the economy. So, the recent data released by the nation’s largest lenders provides an important reading of future trends. Show More
In terms of interest rates, while much attention has recently focused on the fact that the Reserve Bank of Australia has left official interest rates on hold for a relatively long period of more than a year, it's been less noticed that Australian borrowers have nonetheless enjoyed further rate cuts... Show More
US mortgage applications plunge at near record levels. The US housing recovery seems to be stalling fast. Over the past month, applications for mortgages fell at the fastest rate in 3 years. It appears that the increase in mortgage rates was enough to reduce housing demand, despite the fact that... Show More