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FEAR & GREED | Business News

The Week Ahead | 31 March 2025

Mar 30, 2025
The hosts dive into the Reserve Bank of Australia's upcoming decisions on interest rates and the implications of last week's federal budget. They discuss the labor market's tightness and its influence on wage growth, hinting at a potential rate cut. Retail sales and household spending trends are examined as key indicators of consumer behavior. As elections loom, there's emphasis on the need for economic reforms and the recovery in house prices, highlighting the dynamic interplay of these factors in shaping the economy.
06:03

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The budget reflects a cautious fiscal approach with minor tax cuts and spending adjustments, contributing to a small deficit.
  • Consumer spending is showing signs of recovery, driven by a potential earlier rate cut, indicating a positive shift in market conditions.

Deep dives

Economic Stability Despite Challenges

The recent budget and inflation figures indicate a stable economic outlook for the country. The budget, while not particularly exciting, contributes to a measured fiscal approach, leading to a small deficit with minor tax cuts and spending adjustments in healthcare and defense. More significantly, the annual inflation rate sits comfortably within the target band at 2.4%, suggesting that economic conditions are under control. This stability raises the possibility of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank, as sustained low inflation may warrant an adjusted monetary policy.

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