The mother of all economic shocks Is Chinese mercantilism

Arvind Subramanian thinks Chinese exports have had a greater effect on the global economy than any other single factor

The oil market absorbed the war shock, but buffers are running low

The IMF sees lower demand for oil, more production, and inventory drawdowns all of which prevented a larger price spike. A quick supply recovery is essential to avoid further damage to the global economy they say

Breakfast briefing: Running on empty?

US PPI eases; US data 'moderate'; US crude stocks fall; Canada holds rates, sees brighter prospects; China data weak raising new stimulus bets; UST 10yr at 4.54%; gold stable; oil firms; AU$1 = 70.2 USc

Today's changes to interest rates

Here are the changes the main banks have made to retail interest rates on Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Just say no to remote work

Michael Strain implores recent graduates and younger workers to be physically present at their job

Growth and inequality

David Mahon finds Chinese development like crossing a river while feeling the stones. China's objectives on the far bank remain clear, but the water level is now higher, the current stronger, and the stones beneath harder to locate

The real cost of lending money to family and friends

Lynda Moore says if you are asked to lend to someone close to you, make the decision thoughtfully, protect your own financial wellbeing, and be clear about the expectations from the beginning. And if you decide not to lend, don't feel guilty

Still much lower overall market shares, but growing faster than all their main rivals

In a month where over growth was low, the smallest of the main banks still managed to outperform their much larger rivals

China’s cheap speed is resetting consumer expectations

Mark Tanner sees Chinese companies producing things cheaper, faster and smarter than ever before. The impact goes beyond just changing how products are made or delivered - it is altering consumer behaviour

Housing market downturn deepens as demand headwinds build

Cotality says its national HVI fell -0.4% in June. Capital city values dropped -1.3% in the quarter, led by Sydney (-3.2%) and Melbourne (-2.6%). Adelaide unchanged; Brisbane and Perth rose. Auction clearance rates fell below 50%

The fluid struggles to win mortgage business

In the home loan market, Macbank wins again in May, Commbank holds its position, ANZ wins back some lost positions, but NAB and Westpac shed some share

Who gains in an AI-supercharged economy?

Joseph Davis expects AI technology to resemble electricity, benefiting the users more than the providers

ACCC to monitor supermarket compliance with new excessive pricing prohibition

The competition regulator has been armed with new powers to monitor the pricing policies of the Coles and Woolworths supermarket chains. What is being prohibited is "excessive pricing"

The CPI rose 4.0% in the year to May

A 6.5% rise in housing costs drove the May CPI 4.0% inflation rate, not fuel or food. The overall trimmed mean was up 3.6%, a rise from April

ASIC lifts hood on car finance costs and distribution concerns

Consumers exposed to harm from loan brokers and car dealers in the way vehicle loans are distributed by some of the industry's largest brands

Housing markets are facing into a more challenging and uncertain outlook

Westpac assesses what is ahead for the residential real estate sector, seeing a sharp and sustained pull-back from mid-2026, already slowing from interest rate hikes

Travel and events lift May spending, but mortgage holders hit the brakes

The latest Commbank household spending insights shows May spending got a boost from travel and events, but CBA economists expect spending slowdown to continue.