The Albanese government’s target of building 1.2 million homes over five years remains hopelessly out of reach. On Tuesday, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) reported that new home sales increased by 4.1% in the month of January 2025, offsetting weaker sales in November and December 2024. While sales rebounded in January, the following chart from
Something I have not much focused on is the implications of the Guinean Pilbara killer mine on QLD. Simandou produces such high-quality iron ore that it can and will be used as direct injection feedstock into electric-arc furnaces (EAF). These typically use gas, not coking coal, as the reducing agent. If all of Simandou output
The Australian’s Judith Sloan argues that Labor’s $22.7 billion Future Made in Australia (FMIA) policy is badly planned and badly executed. Labor has promoted FMIA as a plan to create new jobs and opportunities by maximising the economic and industrial benefits of moving towards net zero emissions. Sloan argues that it is, in fact, a
My god, we are helpless. Australia was unaware Chinese warships were set to conduct live-fire exercises off its east coast until its security authorities were alerted via a Virgin Australia pilot who heard radio communications about the drills, according to a top air traffic official. In short, the Chinese cruiser could have fired off nuclear-armed HN missiles
Wall Street continues to flail while European stocks try hard to push forward, buoyed by more defense spending promises while the cuts in US federal spending and employment loom large amid a the Canadian/Mexican tariffs that are still on the table. The USD was pushed back by Euro and Yen again overnight while the Australian
DXY is still falling. EUR is not exactly soaring post-German election. The AUD rocket is in danger of a crash landing. Lead boots is stable. Gold and oil got puked. Another dirt bubble goes pop. Woe is miners. EM deepsuckered. Junk nailed to the floor. The bond bid is back. As stocks freak about growth.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) latest annual national accounts reported that Australia’s land was valued at $9.2 trillion in 2023-24, with residential land accounting for 84% ($7.7 trillion). As illustrated below, residential land values have skyrocketed from 1.1 times Australia’s GDP in 1989 to 2.9 times GDP as of 2023-24. The total value of Australia’s
Asian share markets are not doing so well as the play catchup to the risk off mood that has been dragging down Wall Street since Friday night with returning Japanese markets down the most while local shares are still heading down due to the somewhat hawkish RBA position. Meanwhile the Australian dollar is trying to
The Market Ear with more. What could go wrong? Steve Cohen expects a significant correction. Warren is hoarding more cash than ever. Some valuations metrics say that this is the most overvalued market ever. Hedge funds, long-onlies, retail and CTAs are all close to max long. What could go wrong…? Retail Retreat Retail investors turned
Analysis shows that the federal government has made $123.6 billion worth of discretionary spending decisions in the three budgets it has handed down since taking office in May 2022. The government has also announced some $20 billion worth of election promises since the start of 2025, headlined by the $8.5 billion expenditure on Medicare. Independent