David Chau

The Australian share market sets a new record high after inflation hit a two-year low in the December quarter, as economists forecast interest rate cuts from the Reserve Bank could come sooner than expected.

Last month's Christmas and Boxing Day sales were much worse than expected for Australian retailers. Meanwhile, the ASX was a whisker away from a record high.

Australian households' debt-to-income ratio has reached 185 per cent of disposable income. Is it time to impose tougher lending restrictions? Read about this and how the Australian share market closed higher on Tuesday after an optimistic streak on Wall Street that pushed US stocks to a fresh record high.

The Australian share market slipped on its final trading day of 2023, but is still hovering near record-high levels. The ASX 200 has gained nearly 8 per cent since the year began, its best annual return since 2021 as markets increasingly bet on interest rate cuts next year.

The local share market closes just shy of a record high, while the Australian dollar traded at its highest level in five months on expectations of steep US interest rate cuts next year — as it happened.

The Australian dollar tumbles after the Reserve Bank leaves its cash rate target on hold at 4.35 per cent, as the local share market falls from a 10-week high.

The Australian dollar has risen to its highest level in nearly four months on increased bets the US Federal Reserve is finished with its interest rate hikes.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are expected to account for more than a quarter of all holiday purchases this year. But economists are predicting a "penny-pinching" Christmas as interest rates stay higher for longer. 

Mining stocks have driven the Australian share market higher, while Fortescue shareholders reject remuneration report.

A rising number of people looking for work pushes unemployment up, despite the creation of 55,000 jobs last month.

The Australian share market has risen moderately despite Wall Street's struggle to find direction overnight as investors await crucial inflation data that will decide how high US interest rates will climb.

The RBA has lifted the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points in November, taking the rate to 4.35 per cent, while the Australian share market finished lower. Look back on the day's events with our blog.

The Qantas chairman continues to defy public pressure to immediately step down, instead announcing he will retire next year, and the Australian share market closes higher for the fifth day in a row.

Australia's biggest trading partner is facing its biggest economic slowdown in decades, and the Reserve Bank has warned that stress in China's economy will be felt across the world — including here in Australia.

The local share market suffered heavy losses as investors bet on interest rates staying higher for longer, while the Australian dollar slumped to its weakest level since November, despite increased bets the Reserve Bank will lift interest rates again in the next few months. 

The Australian share market has fallen to its lowest level since July 10, while the US dollar has risen to a 10-month high on bets interest rates may stay higher for longer than investors expected. 

The unemployment rate remained at 3.7 per cent in August, as 65,000 people found work and official unemployment fell slightly.

Australia's unemployment rate has risen to 3.7 per cent for July, up from 3.5 per cent in June, with 36,000 more people unemployed, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

Cafes and restaurants saw a boom of big-spending customers after the pandemic. Now, as cost-of-living pressures bite households and the cost of doing business grows, some in the hospitality industry are struggling to stay afloat.

The Australian share market ended higher after a rally by financial stocks as the Commonwealth Bank posts a record annual profit. Suncorp's profit also surged but investors were disappointed by its dividend payout. 

Australia's biggest companies are detailing the impact cost-of-living pressures and high interest rates have had on their bottom line. Analysts say the results will give an early warning sign as to where the economy is heading.

The Australian share market ended its day cautiously higher as traders bet the Reserve Bank will pause its interest rate-hiking cycle tomorrow, but economists are not as optimistic.

The Australian share market rises to its highest level in a month, while ASIC cancels the financial services licence of cryptocurrency firm FTX's local subsidiary. Look back at how the day unfolded in our live blog.

The shift to working remotely has led to a significant drop in office property prices, which could affect our retirement savings given superannuation funds invest more than $425 billion in unlisted assets.

The Australian share market records its best trading day in six months after suffering hefty losses in the past four sessions, while consumer confidence remains in deeply pessimistic territory as cost-of-living pressures continue to bite.