FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

S&P/ASX 200

ASX 200
IndexIndex

818 stories mentioning S&P/ASX 200Updated just now

Australian shares traded mixed, with energy stocks like Woodside advancing while consumer discretionary names slipped amid softening consumer confidence.

What's the latest news on S&P/ASX 200?

Asia

Australian Shares Fall; Cochlear Confirms US Duty-Free Access for Hearing Implant Systems

Australian shares declined on Friday, as concerns over inflation rose after oil prices jumped above the $100-mark.The S&P/ASX 200 Index declined 0.75%, or by 66.70 points, to close at 8,772.30.Overnight, the Nasdaq Composite index on Wall Street fell 2.2%, the S&P 500 retreated 1.2%, and the Dow Jones declined 1%.Brent crude oil futures were trading over $100 per barrel, after jumping 7% overnight to a two-month high of $102 per barrel. The Iran-aligned Houthis struck Saudi Arabian tankers in the Red Sea even as shipping remains constricted in the Straits of Hormuz.US President Donald Trump threatened to escalate the conflict with Iran after the attacks in the Red Sea. The US administration is also said to intend to impose higher tariffs on 60 trading partners.On the domestic front, Australia's private sector expanded at its fastest pace in 2026 in July as new business returned to growth after four months; however, business confidence remained subdued despite easing cost pressures, according to a S&P Global survey. The Flash Australia PMI Composite Output Index rose to 52.6 in July from 50.4 in June, marking its highest level since the start of the year and indicating a second consecutive month of private sector growth.The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is anticipated to hold interest rates steady at 4.35% in 2026 amid a slowing activity backdrop, despite elevated inflation risks, before beginning to cut rates from mid-2027, National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) said.In company news, Cochlear (ASX:COH) said its hearing implant systems will continue to be imported into the US duty-free after the US Government's final Section 301 investigation findings retained the tariff classification covering duty-free entry for hearing implants.Newmont (ASX:NEM) reported second quarter adjusted net income of $2.10 per share, up from $1.43 a year earlier. Revenue for the three months ended June 30 was $6.12 billion, compared with $5.32 billion a year earlier.Lastly, ASX (ASX:ASX) said Chief Financial Officer Andrew Tobin informed the group of his intention to retire.

ASX 200ASX:ASXASX:COHASX:NEM
International

Australian Consumer Inflation Expected to Rise 0.4% in June, Westpac Says

Australia's consumer price index (CPI) for June is forecast to rise 0.4% on a monthly basis, raising the annual pace to 4.2% from 4% in May, Westpac Banking said in a Friday report.On a seasonally adjusted basis, it expects a 0.2% increase on a monthly basis.The increase on a monthly basis is expected to be driven by recreation and culture as well as housing, reflecting higher holiday travel, rents, and new dwelling purchase costs. This is expected to be partly offset by a sharp decline in automotive fuel prices.Survey measures pointed to a moderation in cost pressures, with quarter-on-quarter purchase and output price growth slowing to 2% and 0.6%, respectively. Consumers' year-ahead inflation expectations also inched lower and reached around pre-conflict levels, though they remain elevated at 4.7%.Monthly trimmed mean inflation is forecast to clock in at 0.4%, taking the annual rate to 3.7% from 3.6% in May. The quarterly trimmed mean is expected to rise 0.9%, bringing the annual rate to 3.7%.

ASX 200
International

RBA Expected to Hold Rates Steady in 2026 Despite Elevated Inflation Risks, NAB Says

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is anticipated to hold interest rates steady at 4.35% in 2026 amid a slowing activity backdrop, despite elevated inflation risks, before beginning to cut rates frommid-2027, National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) said in a report on Friday.The June NAB Business Survey showed business conditions below the long-run average and consistent with a slowing in activity growth. However, the survey also suggested that the impact of the Middle East had been less severe than anticipated, both in terms of activity and price pressures. Business confidence has mostly recovered from the initial shock from the Middle East conflict, and going forward, data centers will continue to drive business investment growth.The lender continues to forecast a trimmed mean consumer price index (CPI) of 3.5% over 2026, before slowing to 2.6% over 2027 as imported pressures give way to softer domestic demand. It expects consumption growth of just 1.4% over 2026 and 2027. Growth is forecast to slow to 1.5% in 2026, from 2.5% over 2025, driven by higher interest rates, elevated inflation, and falling house prices. In that context, the unemployment rate is seen rising steadily to 4.8% late in 2027.Employment growth is expected to slow looking forward, while the unemployment rate will rise a little further over coming quarters, ending the year at 4.6% and then rising gradually to around 4.75% by late 2027.The ABS Monthly Household Spending Indicator rose 1.3% in May, reversing April's decline as fuel prices eased and refund effects faded. This resilience seems to have carried into June, with theNAB Spend Trend rising 1.2%, with growth led by discretionary spending, in particular hotels as well as travel and transport.

ASX 200
International

Trump Administration Slaps Up to 12.5% Tariffs on 60 Nations Over Forced Labor Concerns

US President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday imposed new tariffs of up to 12.5% on South Korea, Japan and 58 other trading partners over forced labor concerns.The imposition of tariffs followed Section 301 investigations into whether these economies fail to prohibit or enforce a ban on imports made with forced labor, according to White House statement on Thursday.Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland face a net 12.5% cap, meaning their effective tariffs are reduced by their existing Most-Favored Nation (MFN) duties.Australia and China will face a straight 12.5% tariff on all goods while Taiwan and the European Union will see tariffs capped at a net 10% (the difference between the MFN rate and 10%).Southeast Asian nations received mixed treatment: Malaysia, Indonesia India, and Bangladesh were assigned a 10% tariff with additional textile tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) to encourage U.S. cotton and textile imports, while the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam were lumped into the 12.5% category.There is a proposed 10% tariff on goods from economies that have a forced labor import ban in place but are not yet effectively enforcing it.The six economies falling into this category are Canada, Ecuador, the European Union, Indonesia, Mexico, and Pakistan.

ASX 200^BSEHang SengFTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI^KOSDAQ^KOSPINikkei 225Nifty 50^SETShanghai Composite^STI^SZSETaiwan Weighted
International

ANZ Expects 0.9% Quarter-on-Quarter Rise in Australia's Q2 Trimmed Mean Inflation

ANZ expects a 0.9% quarter-on-quarter rise in trimmed mean inflation in Australia in the second quarter, which would see annual growth print at 3.7% year on year, slightly below the Reserve Bank's 3.8% year-on-year forecast, according to a report released on Friday.A better-than-expected quarterly trimmed mean result and a slowing economy are anticipated to allow the Reserve Bank to keep interest rates on hold in August, ANZ said.The Reserve Bank is likely to remain alert regarding inflation risks due to the rising trend in the monthly trimmed mean measure, especially amid the renewed conflict in the Middle East.ANZ is anticipating a 0.4% month-on-month increase in June, bringing the three-month annualized rate to 4.3%.The trend in monthly data raises the likelihood of a November interest rate hike and the possibility of an August hike.

ASX 200
Asia

ASX Midday Sector Update: Energy Stocks Rise, Information Technology Sector Struggles

Energy stocks advanced 1% at midday Friday.Woodside Energy Group (ASX:WDS) gained more than 2% in recent trade despite failing to convince Western Australia's Supreme Court to force environmental activists to furnish documents related to the planning of a stench gas protest at the company's Perth office in 2023.Meanwhile, the information technology sector struggled, shedding more than 2%.Xero (ASX:XRO) shares fell past 2% in recent trade.

ASX 200ASX:WDSASX:XRO
International

Australia's June Employment Data Shows Cooling Job Market Beneath Strong Headline, Jarden Says

The June employment data for Australia reveals a cooling job market beneath a strong headline, and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is expected to look past the headline into the detail, Jarden said in a Thursday note.Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained flat at 4.4% in June compared with the previous month, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed. The total number of employed people increased by 76,300, bringing the total to 14.8 million.The flat jobless rate came from participation rising alongside employment rather than the market tightening. Part of the increase was people who had lined up jobs in May, according to ABS, and the underlying pace of hiring has slowed sharply over the year.The three-month average employment growth slowed to around 0.25% in the quarter to June, compared with around 0.6% in the same period in the prior year.The strength in the jobs data was also narrow based on regions, with New South Wales and Western Australia seeing a 0.9% and 1% rise in employment, and the unemployment falling to 4% and 4.2%, respectively. The rest were softer.Underemployment rose 0.2 percentage points to 6.5%, rising 0.6 percentage points over the year, and broad under-utilization reached almost 11%, up around 0.7 percentage points over the year. This is the clearest signal in the release, and it shows spare capacity is still widening, Jarden said.

ASX 200
Australian Private Sector Posts Second Consecutive Month of Growth as New Orders Reverse Decline
US Markets

Australian Private Sector Posts Second Consecutive Month of Growth as New Orders Reverse Decline

Australia's private sector grew for the second straight month in July, buoyed by its first increase in new orders in five months amid a small improvement in market confidence.The headline seasonally adjusted S&P Global Flash Australia PMI Composite Output Index rose to 52.6 in July from 50.4 in the previous month, hitting its highest reading since the start of the year and expanding at a stronger pace than the series average, the index provider said Friday."July data indicated a fresh injection of new work across the Australian private sector, ending a four-month run of decline that was the longest since the start of 2024," S&P Global said.Growth across the private sector remained centered on the service economy, where activity jumped at the fastest pace since January. And while manufacturing output was largely stable from June, it also saw the strongest performance since the start of the year.The flash readings improved to 53 from 50.5 for the Australia Services PMI Business Activity Index, to 51.7 from 51.5 for the Australia Manufacturing PMI, and to 49.9 from 49.5 for the Australia Manufacturing PMI Output Index."There was more positive news with respect to prices, with cost pressures continuing to ease off," said S&P Global Market Intelligence economist Eleanor Dennison. "More stability on the demand front also encouraged firms to more actively protect their margins."July also saw job additions across both the services and manufacturing sectors as greater workloads led to a rise in backlogged orders.The level of confidence among Australian businesses ticked up slightly in July, recovering from a more than two-and-a-half-year low hit in June, but remained subdued by historical standards, S&P said.

ASX 200
Asia

ASX Preview: Australian Shares to Fall After Oil Surge, Fresh Trump Tariffs; Newmont Posts Higher Q2 Adjusted Earnings, Revenue

Australian shares are poised to fall on Friday as a surge in oil prices above $100 a barrel stoked concerns over inflation and global economic growth after attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea intensified supply disruption fears.Markets were also pressured by renewed trade tensions after the Trump administration announced new tariffs on 60 trading partners, including the European Union, as a temporary US tariff regime expired.Overnight, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.2%, 2.2%, and 1%, respectively.In the macroeconomy, Australia's private sector expanded at its fastest pace of 2026 in July as new business returned to growth after four months, though business confidence remained subdued despite easing cost pressures, according to a survey by S&P Global released Friday.In corporate news, Newmont (ASX:NEM) reported Friday second quarter adjusted net income of $2.10 per share on revenue of $6.12 billion, compared with adjusted net income of $1.43 on revenue of $5.32 billion a year earlier.Regis Resources (ASX:RRL) said June quarter gold production was 101,500 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of AU$3,244 per ounce, with gold sales of 102,400 ounces totaling AU$639 million at an average realized price of AU$6,241 per ounce.Australia's benchmark index rose 0.2% or 16 points to close at 8,839 on Thursday.

ASX 200ASX:NEMASX:RRL
International

Australia Private Sector Growth Accelerates in July on New Business Rebound

Australia's private sector expanded at its fastest pace in 2026 in July as new business returned to growth after four months; however, business confidence remained subdued despite easing cost pressures, according to an S&P Global survey released Friday.The Flash Australia PMI Composite Output Index rose to 52.6 in July from 50.4 in June, marking its highest level since the start of the year and indicating a second consecutive month of private sector growth, the report said.A reading above the 50-point threshold indicates expansion.The Flash Services PMI Business Activity Index rose to 53 in July from 50.5 in June. The Flash Manufacturing Output Index inched up to 49.9 from 49.5, while the Flash Manufacturing PMI increased to 51.7 from 51.5.Private sector growth was driven by services, where activity expanded at the fastest pace since January, while manufacturing posted its strongest result of the year despite little change from June, per the report.New work across Australia's private sector rebounded in July, breaking a four-month downturn as domestic demand strengthened despite ongoing weakness in international markets.Stronger workloads led to a slight increase in backlogged orders for the first time in five months, while mounting capacity pressures boosted hiring activity to its highest level since April across both the services and manufacturing sectors.Business cost pressures eased in July, with input price inflation slowing to its weakest pace since February, though higher fuel, oil, raw material and wage costs continued to weigh on firms.Manufacturers raised selling prices at a softer pace than in June, while stronger demand for services led providers to adopt more aggressive pricing, lifting the composite rate of charge inflation.Australian businesses showed a slight improvement in growth expectations for the year ahead, but confidence remained subdued as firms continued to take a cautious outlook.

ASX 200
Asia

Australian Shares Flat; Santos Posts Higher Q2 Total Production

Australian shares were flat with a positive bias on Thursday despite oil prices reaching their highest point in over a month.The S&P/ASX 200 Index was little changed to close at 8,839.Overnight, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.1% and 0.6%, respectively, on Wall Street.Brent crude oil futures rose around 2% to trade around $96 per barrel as the conflict in the Middle East continued and concerns grew over potential supply disruptions linked to threats against shipping routes.Gold prices climbed to trade around $4,116 per ounce amid renewed safe-haven demand, while iron ore futures rose over 1% to around $98 in Singapore.On the domestic front, Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained flat at 4.4% in June compared with the previous month, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed. The total number of employed people increased by 76,300, bringing the total to 14.8 million.The improvement in aggregate business conditions in Australia during the June quarter continues to be driven by larger businesses, Westpac said. The Westpac Business Performance Gauge, which represents the ratio of operating revenues to operating expenses, rose 0.2% quarter-over-quarter in the June quarter, a softer pace than in recent quarters, while the Westpac Cashflow Gauge, which represents the ratio of operating revenues to operating expenses plus liabilities, rose 0.3%.In company news, Santos (ASX:STO) reported total production of 23.1 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) in the second quarter ended June 30, up on last year's 22.2 MMboe.James Hardie Industries (ASX:JHX) expects to report first-quarter fiscal 2027 adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of between $399 million and $407 million and net sales of between $1.45 billion and $1.48 billion.Lastly, Karoon Energy (ASX:KAR) reported total production of 1.1 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) in the second quarter ended June 30, down from last year's 2.9 MMboe.

ASX 200ASX:JHXASX:KARASX:STO
International

Improvement in Aggregate Business Conditions in Australia During June Quarter Driven by Larger Businesses, Westpac Says

The improvement in aggregate business conditions in Australia during the June quarter continues to be driven by larger businesses, Westpac said in a Thursday report.The Westpac Business Performance Gauge, which represents the ratio of operating revenues to operating expenses, rose 0.2% quarter-over-quarter in the June quarter, a softer pace than in recent quarters, while the Westpac Cashflow Gauge, which represents the ratio of operating revenues to operating expenses plus liabilities, rose 0.3%.Both gauges remain around 1% higher than a year earlier.Aggregate revenue growth in the second quarter was concentrated in business-to-business and government-related activity. Total operating expenses rose 2.7% quarter-over-quarter, due mostly to a 12% increase in fuel costs. Debt-servicing costs rose just 0.2% on a quarterly basis but are 11% higher than year-over-year. A further 50 basis points of tightening expected through the September quarter will add to debt-servicing costs.The Commercial Operating Gauge rose 0.2%, and the Large Corporate Operating Gauge rose 0.1% on a quarterly basis over the period, with annual growth of 1.2% and 1.4%, respectively. This annual result was the strongest outcome for large corporates since the September quarter of 2024.The SME Operating Gauge fell 1.3% as costs outpaced revenues. SME conditions deteriorated broadly, with 12 of the 15 industries recording a decline. Agriculture, wholesale trade, and transport were the only industries to record gains.Westpac's Industry Performance Gauge was flat over the period, with conditions improving in eight of the 15 industries.Business conditions are expected to become uneven in the next 12 to 18 months, with gross domestic product growth expected to slow to around 0.7% on an annual basis by year-end, before gradually recovering in the next year. However, investment-related activity, including data centers, defense, infrastructure, and residential construction, is set to continue to support certain portions of the economy.

ASX 200
International

Australia's June Labor Data Delivered Upside Surprise; Further Rate Hikes Still a Possibility, ANZ Says

Headline data from Australia's June labor force survey surprised on the upside, with a "strong" 76,300 increase in employed people exceeding market forecasts for a rise of 15,000, ANZ said in a Thursday report.The participation rate rose to 67% in June from 66.7% in the previous month to hit the highest level since July last year. Meanwhile, the offsetting effects of stronger employment and labor supply kept the unemployment rate unchanged at 4.4%, above the Australian central bank's latest forecast of 4.2%.However, the latest data likely has some statistical noise as the the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) noted that one of the incoming rotation groups in New South Wales and Victoria was significantly different in its labor force characteristics."As such, we think the key takeaway from the release is the steady unemployment rate, which provides a better signal of underlying labor market conditions than the headline employment gain," ANZ said.The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will likely acknowledge that labor market conditions have eased more than expected, and could also revise its unemployment forecast upward in its next policy statement in August, ANZ said.It added that the latest labor data "is unlikely to be a source of concern that would prevent additional policy tightening."

ASX 200
Australia's Jobless Rate Holds Steady in June as More Than 76,000 People Find Work
US Markets

Australia's Jobless Rate Holds Steady in June as More Than 76,000 People Find Work

Australia's unemployment rate held steady in June, in line with market expectations, amid a jump in part-time employment and a higher participation rate.The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.4% in June, unchanged from the previous month, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed on Thursday.The result is in line with an estimate from Westpac, as well as with a consensus forecast compiled by Trading Economics.The number of employed people increased by 76,300 from the previous month to about 14.8 million, driven by a 47,000-person increase in part-time employment, while the volume of unemployed people rose by 12,700 to 686,800. As a result, the participation rate ticked higher to 67% from 66.7% in May.Part of the employment growth came from Australians who were waiting to start a job in May, representing "a stronger June movement than has been observed in recent years," said Sean Crick, head of labor statistics at the ABS.He added that people in the 55 to 64 age bracket recorded the largest annual growth in the participation rate, up nearly a full percentage point to 70.6%.The data also showed a 5 million increase in the overall number of monthly hours worked to about 2.01 billion hours in June, while the employment-to-population ratio edged 30 basis points higher to 64%.Earlier in July, Reserve Bank of Australia Assistant Governor Sarah Hunter said the country may need a period of higher unemployment to ease inflation expectations. The central bank left its official cash rate unchanged at 4.35% in June, and its next policy meeting is scheduled for August.

ASX 200
Asia

ASX Midday Sector Update: Materials Stocks Advance, Information Technology Sector Struggles

Materials stocks advanced nearly 2% at midday Thursday.BHP Group (ASX:BHP) gained almost 2% in recent trade.On the flip side, the information technology sector struggled, shedding nearly 3%.Xero (ASX:XRO) shares fell almost 4% in recent trade.

ASX 200ASX:BHPASX:XRO
International

Australia's Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 4.4% in June

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained flat at 4.4% in June compared with the previous month, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed Thursday.The consensus forecast was also for 4.4%, according to Trading Economics.The total number of employed people increased by 76,300, bringing the total to 14.8 million."In June, we recorded a 76,000 person rise in employment, driven by a 47,000 person rise in part-time employment," said Sean Crick, the bureau's head of labor statistics.The participation rate rose 0.3 percentage points to 67% compared with the previous month. The underemployment rate, which refers to the share of workers who want and are available to work additional hours, inched up to 6.5% in June from 6.3% in May.The employment-to-population ratio rose 0.3 percentage points to 64%, the report said. Monthly hours worked across all jobs increased by 5 million hours to 2.01 billion hours in June.

ASX 200
Asia

Australian Shares Open Higher as Oil, Gold Rally on Middle East Tensions; Santos Posts Higher Q2 Total Production

Australian shares opened higher on Thursday as oil prices surged to their highest level in more than a month amid escalating US-Iran tensions and growing concerns over potential supply disruptions linked to threats against shipping routes.Gold prices also climbed to a two-week high on a softer US dollar and renewed safe-haven demand, while investors awaited fresh signals on the Federal Reserve's interest rate path.Overnight, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.1%, 0.6%, and 0.01%, respectively.In the macroeconomy, Australia's labor force report is due at 11:30 am Sydney time.In corporate news, Santos (ASX:STO) reported total production of 23.1 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) in the second quarter ended June 30, up on last year's 22.2 MMboe.Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals (ASX:CUV) said it will move its headquarters to the US from Jan. 1, 2027, as part of a restructuring that includes a 10% to 20% global workforce reduction and a shift toward US-focused operations, funding access and commercialization of its late-stage pipeline.Australia's benchmark index rose 0.3% or 29.7 points to close at 8,823 on Wednesday.

ASX 200ASX:CUVASX:STO
Asia

Australian Shares Rise; Paladin Expects Namibia Uranium Mine Production of up to 5.6 Million Pounds in Fiscal Year 2027

Australian shares advanced on Wednesday, mirroring gains on Wall Street despite escalating tensions in the Middle East.The S&P/ASX 200 Index gained 0.34%, or 29.70 points, to close at 8,823.Overnight, the Nasdaq Composite index on Wall Street rose over 1.3%, while the S&P 500 rose 0.9% and Dow Jones climbed 0.7%.Brent crude oil futures rose over 1% to trade around $92 per barrel as US President Donald Trump threatened further military strikes on Iran.Gold prices rose over 1% to $4,128.42 per ounce. Copper jumped to its highest price in over a month as Comex copper for September rose over 3% to $6.55 per pound.On the domestic front, the six-month annualised growth rate in the Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Index dropped to negative 0.36% in June from negative 0.25% in May, marking the sixth consecutive below-trend read and the weakest pace since late 2023 when quarterly GDP growth stalled flat, according to a report by Westpac.Inflation emerged as the single most pressing concern for Australians across the three waves of a new survey by the Reserve Bank of Australia, with around two-thirds of respondents citing it as one of their top three economic concerns.In company news, Paladin Energy (ASX:PDN) said production from the Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia is expected to range between 5.1 million pounds and 5.6 million pounds of triuranium octoxide in fiscal year 2027.Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC) reported fiscal fourth-quarter gross sales revenue of AU$288.9 million, up 70% from a year earlier and the highest quarterly revenue achieved since the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.Lastly, WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) agreed to acquire California-based FRDM.ai, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven supply chain risk and compliance intelligence platform, in a transaction valued at an upfront $10 million in cash and shares, with potential all-cash earn-outs of up to $14.3 million.

ASX 200ASX:LYCASX:PDNASX:WTC
Asia

Asia-Pacific Insurers Face Heightened Risks, Increasing Costs, S&P Says

Asia-Pacific insurers faced increasingly complex challenges, prompting adjustments in their investments and asset-liability management, S&P Global Ratings said on Wednesday.Costs were rising for insurers amid geopolitical and market risk, regulatory shifts, and cybersecurity concerns, S&P said.Insurers needed to adopt more robust governance and digital investment amid heightened risks from AI adoption and budding cyber risks, analyst Craig Bennett said.The analyst expected the region's insurers to remain resilient against natural disasters, supported by stronger risk management and capital management.

ASX 200Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite^SZSE
International

Two-Thirds of Respondents in Survey Cite Inflation as One of Top Three Economic Concerns, RBA Says

Inflation emerged as the single most pressing concern for Australians across the three waves of a new survey by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), with around two-thirds of respondents citing it as one of their top three economic concerns, according to a Wednesday report.Inflation was also identified as the most prominent concern across all key demographic groups. Respondents who cited inflation as one of their top concerns were more likely to expect both economic conditions and their own household financial situation to worsen over the next 12 months.The survey was designed to be nationally representative, with respondents selected to reflect the Australian population across a range of demographic characteristics, including age, income, location, andgender. It began in February 2025, was repeated in September 2025, and then again in February and March.Employment and wages concerns were more prominent among younger respondents between the ages of 18 and 44, while housing was another frequently cited concern, particularly among renters and younger cohorts.The survey identified relatively high levels of public understanding of how interest rates affect economic activity and employment, but revealed a gap in respondents' understanding of how interest rates impact inflation, with only 25% assessing correctly that higher interest rates would ultimately lead to lower inflation.It also showed that awareness of the RBA and its price stability mandate was high, but other responsibilities were less visible. Most respondents reported moderate-to-high levels of trust in the central bank, with a median score of six out of 10 in all three survey waves, with 0 representing "no trust at all" and 10 "trust completely."The central bank will use the findings to aid its communication and engagement with the public.

ASX 200

Showing 281-300 of 818

Track with the FINWIRES app suite

FolioX
FolioX
Track S&P/ASX 200 in your portfolio
WheelAI
WheelAI
Analyze S&P/ASX 200 options with the wheel strategy
StockInsider
StockInsider
See market sentiment on S&P/ASX 200