Sunflower siblings grow tidy profit
SYDNEY, AAP – While many parents have been scrambling to keep the kids busy this school holidays, that has not been the case for the Roth household near Mudgee in NSW. Three brothers – 10-year-old Viktor, Leo (12) and Christian (14) – were determined to make some pocket money this summer by selling sunflowers at…
US consumer prices up 7 per cent in a year
WASHINGTON, D. C., RAW – US consumer prices rose solidly in December, with the annual increase in inflation the largest in nearly four decades, which could bolster expectations that the Federal Reserve will start raising interest rates as early as March. The consumer price index increased 0.5 per cent last month after advancing 0.8 per…
Wall St rises after inflation data release
NEW YORK CITY, RAW – US stock indexes have risen after consumer prices data that largely met expectations eased some concerns about faster than expected interest rate hikes, with big technology stocks offering the biggest boost. Data from the Labor Department showed its consumer price index increased 0.5 per cent last month after rising 0.8…
Midweek liftoff for ASX, energy best
SYDNEY, AAP – Energy investors have been the biggest winners among broad-based gains on the Australian market. Energy shares gained about three per cent on Wednesday as COVID-19 outbreaks hinder oil supply and send prices higher. Technology shares were next best and gained about two per cent. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed up 48.8 points,…
Record credit card purchases, cash also up
CANBERRA, AAP – Credit card spending reached record levels in November, but Reserve Bank figures show using cash is also on the rise, dispelling the myth that Australia is moving towards a cashless society. The RBA’s monthly payments data showed purchases on credit and charge cards totalled $28.9 billion in November, 6.8 per cent higher…
Powell’s comments relieve share traders
SYDNEY, RAW – Stocks and commodities have risen in relief and the dollar hit a six-week low, after Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell sounded less hawkish than expected in testimony to the US Congress. Bonds have also steadied after beginning the year with a rout, though a new test looms later in the day when…
ASX rises, miners thrive on rivals’ woes
SYDNEY, AAP – Shares on the Australian market have followed Wall Street higher despite US inflation recording its highest level in 40 years. The market was about half a per cent higher on Thursday and there were big gains for the mining heavyweights. The iron ore price climbed to about $US130 per tonne after miners…
Early signs of easing demand for workers
CANBERRA, AAP – There are further signs the strong demand for workers that was seen in the latter stages of 2021 is coming off the boil as the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant casts a cloud over the economic outlook. New Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows there were 396,100 job vacancies in…
Jobless could fill essential worker roles
CANBERRA, AAP – The federal government has flagged filling gaps in essential service roles with temporary visa holders, older Australians and the unemployed. Acting Small Business Minister Anne Ruston met with industry groups on Tuesday night to discuss disruptions to a range of industries caused by thousands of workers being affected by COVID-19. Further meetings…
Latest on worldwide spread of COVID-19
LONDON, RAW – EUROPE * Ireland is expected to lift restrictions on the movement of people who have been in close contact with someone suffering from COVID-19 if they are fully vaccinated with a booster and have no symptoms. * Britain reported 120,821 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, a drop on 142,224 on Monday,…
