In this short video, I compare the broad valuations of Australian banks with their global compatriots and find there are still discrepancies. Show More
Today I analyse a case before the Federal Court where the judge has, thus far, refused to accept the joint submission from both ASIC and Westpac that Westpac should be fined $35 million for breaching Labor's new responsible lending laws because the judge cannot find any such breach. It is... Show More
Westpac has posted a 3% rise in first-half cash profit to $4.02bn, in-line with market expectations. The result was boosted by its increased mortgage lending and performance of its institutional banking business. Show More
CommSec Advisory’s Nicky Kritikos speaks with Tom Piotrowski about the upcoming bank earnings results due out from ANZ and Westpac, as well as NAB’s recently released FY results For more market updates, visit https://www.commsec.com.au/market-news/the-markets.html 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
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
In The AFR my main column argues that---shock, horror---the new Westpac hybrid, called Westpac Capital Notes 4 (ASX: WBCPG), is actually a good deal. That's a first for me. I explain that while CBA's Perls 8 has performed very well in the secondary market it has been the dud I... Show More
5400 continues to provide some resistance for Aussie stocks, with a weak wage number and greater chance for another interest rate cut not enough to keep buyers on the front foot. The ASX was off -39 points although there was decent individual stock moves. Show More
Tom Piotrowski speaks with CommSec Advisory’s Blair Hannon about Westpac’s half year results, and Tuesday’s RBA Board meeting and Federal Budget MORE MARKET NEWS AT https://www.commsec.com.au/market-news/the-markets.html Show More
Australian consumer sentiment was disappointing in April, the index falling 4% to 95, materially below the 100 optimist/pessimist divide. Family finances and economic expectations both deteriorated, and there was clear evidence of concerns regarding housing affordability. On the labour market, the key result was the marginal improvement in the unemployment... Show More