CommBank View: Economics & Markets

Buses can be categorised into two markets: the public and private markets. In our latest episode, we discuss the drivers and hurdles for bus decarbonisation across both public and private bus segments.   Disclaimer:    Important Information   This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48...

Kristina Clifton and Carol Kong discuss the top influences affecting currency markets this week, including US tariffs, potential policy stimulus announcement from China as well as monetary policy decisions from the European Central bank and the Bank of Canada.    Disclaimer:    Important Information   This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a bu...

Another volatile week in global markets. The team breaks down the four reasons why President Trump is pursuing tariffs and the impact on Australia. Stephen Wu and Belinda Allen also discuss the latest CBA Household Spending Indicator for March and how rising global uncertainty could be a headwind for the predicted consumer recovery. Finally it is labour force week and after a soft print in Februar...

Kristina Clifton and Carol Kong discuss the top influences on the Australian dollar this week including tariff news, US economic data and the Reserve Bank of  New Zealand monetary policy announcement.    Disclaimer:    Important Information   This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48...

It was a wild week in global markets. The RBA left the cash rate on hold on Tuesday, but the news was quickly swamped by news of President Trump's so called 'reciprocal tariffs' on Thursday morning Sydney time. Amongst all this, there was a string of local economic data in Australia. In this week's podcast, Senior Economist Belinda Allen and Economist Harry Ottley sit down to make sense of a very...

Kristina Clifton and Carol Kong discuss the top influences on currencies this week, including President Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ announcement of a new tariff regime, US economic data and the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy decision.    Disclaimer:    Important Information   This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of the Co...

Stephen Wu and Gareth Aird first discuss last week’s February CPI numbers and the Budget. Of the two, the weaker-than-expected CPI indicator has more bearing on near-term monetary policy, including the April RBA Board meeting. But the RBA is unlikely to see the inflation data as sufficient, nor the recent data flow as conclusive enough for an April rate cut. Gareth highlights the importance of the...

The 2025-26 Federal Budget was delivered last night by Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers. In this Podcast, Chief Economist Luke Yeaman and Senior Economist Belinda Allen take our listeners through all the key points from the Budget.  ------ DISCLAIMER ------  Important Information    This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of the Com...

In this week’s podcast, Kristina Clifton and Carol Kong discuss President Trump’s announcement of a new tariff regime and what it means for currencies.  Financial markets will also closely watch economic data releases this week, including US consumer confidence, US personal consumption expenditures index and Australia’s CPI indicator.   Disclaimer:    Important Information   This podcast is approv...

The labour force survey was an unusual set of numbers last week, headlined by a large fall in employment. The Federal Budget will be handed down this week but CBA are of the view there won't be too much in the way of new announcements. The Monthly CPI Indicator is also due and it could be critical in determining the RBA's next move. In this week's podcast, Harry Ottley and Belinda Allen take a dee...

Kristina Clifton and Carol Kong discuss the top influences on currencies this week including the approval of Germany’s fiscal package and the US Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan monetary policy meetings.    Disclaimer:    Important Information   This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia AB...

A quieter week locally but Belinda Allen and Harry Ottley deep dive into the CommBank Househould Spending Insights for February as well as the latest business and consumer surveys. Labour market data is up next and they also discuss the aluminium and steel tariffs imposed on Australia by the US.   ------ DISCLAIMER ------  Important Information    This podcast is approved and distributed by Global...

Kristina Clifton and Carol Kong discuss the key drivers for currencies this week including the fiscal plans in Europe, the US consumer price index for February, the Bank of Canada’s policy meeting and Japan’s Shunto wage negotiations.       Disclaimer:    Important Information   This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of the...

The December quarter National Accounts revealed the economy grew by 0.6%/qtr, but the detail shows private sector momentum was weaker. Gareth Aird and Stephen Wu also discuss the hawkish RBA Minutes, where the RBA has gone out of their way to not give forward guidance.   Disclaimer:    Important Information   This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR...

Kristina Clifton and Carol Kong discuss the key drivers for currencies this week including potential additional tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, the European Central Bank’s interest rate decision and China’s “Two Sessions” meetings.    Disclaimer:    Important Information   This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of the C...

Last week the January CPI Indicator was unchanged at 2.5%/yr against expectations of a lift. Stephen Wu and Belinda Allen discuss the details and the implications for the RBA. This week we are spoilt for choice data wise, December quarter GDP and consumer spending for January will be the focus.   Disclaimer:    Important Information   This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic &am...

Carol Kong and Joseph Capurso discuss the top influences affecting currency markets this week, including the US personal consumption expenditures index for January, the Australian consumer price index for January and the German election.      Disclaimer:    Important Information   This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of th...

Last week, the Reserve Bank of Australia cut the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.10%. Following this, key data on wages and unemployment was released in one of the biggest weeks for the Australian economy in a long time. In this week’s podcast, Economist Harry Ottley and Senior Economist Belinda Allen take a deep dive into the decision itself, as well as the barrage of communication from...

Carol Kong and Kristina Clifton discuss the top influences affecting currency markets this week, including the Reserve Bank of Australia’s meeting, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s meeting and US tariffs.    Disclaimer:    Important Information   This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia A...

CBA expects the RBA to deliver a 25bp cut at its February meeting. Financial markets also anticipate such an outcome. Gareth Aird, Head of Australian Economics, and Stephen Wu, Senior Economist, discuss why the RBA will cut the cash rate on Tuesday but are unlikely to commit to further cuts just yet. Plus, what to expect from the January labour force survey and the Q4 24 wages data. ------ DISCLAI...

Kristina Clifton and Carol Kong discuss the key influences on currency markets this week.  Tariff announcements could push the Australian dollar lower.  Markets will also watch FOMC Chair Powell’s testimony to Congress and the US CPI for January.    Disclaimer:    Important Information   This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business divisio...

There was a steady stream of data out last week including retail trade and the ABS monthly household spending indicator (MHSI). Overall, the spending data was stronger than we expected for the final quarter of last year but it shouldn't have too much of an impact on the February RBA Board meeting. This week, there we will release our CommBank HSI and there will be an update on business and consume...

Carol Kong and Kristina Clifton discuss the top influences affecting currency markets this week, including US tariffs, the Bank of England’s policy meeting and New Zealand’s Q4 24 labour market data.    Disclaimer:    Important Information   This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48...

The Q4 24 CPI data was a welcome set of numbers and in our view, greenlights an interest rate cut from the RBA later this month. In this week's podcast, Economist Harry Ottley and Senior Economist Stephen Wu take a closer look at the CPI data and the implications for the RBA, and preview the spending data coming out this week.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trucks contribute to 27% of road transport emissions although being only 3% of vehicles in Australia.  Despite low uptake of low-emission vehicles in Australia and globally, logistics and freight corporates are leading the way with various electric truck trials. In this episode, John Oh, Sustainable Economist, and Joseph Capurso, Head of International and Sustainable Economics, sit down to discuss...