Yesterday
Middle East conflict could push inflation to mid-sixes by June
A swift resolution to the war won’t be enough to stop prices marching higher, economists warn.
Prepare for synchronised global hikes
Between the Iran war supply shock and the upward revision of “neutral” rates, we are staring at a cash rate of at least 5 per cent.
In pictures: March 2026
This month conflict in the Middle East starts to show its effects on Australia. Our photographers have captured moments that mark this time in history.
This Month
Labor’s wage rise plan amid oil spike risks ‘stagflation’
Economists fear a decision to increase minimum pay could aggravate impacts of the energy price shock, push inflation higher and put more people out of work.
Matt Comyn’s tight arse on CBA deposits
The bank will hike mortgage rates this week while doing the barest of minimums for savers.
Auction rates crash as higher rates, Iran war takes toll on buyers
The proportion of real estate sold last weekend fell to its lowest level in 15 months amid fears the Middle East conflict will send interest rates soaring.
The elusive illiquidity premium forces private assets rethink
The guiding principle that has guided billions of dollars of institutional capital into private assets might not actually exist. That’s led to soul-searching.
RBA’s narrow pathway on inflation will need to widen
If the central bank is serious about getting core inflation back to its 2.5 per cent target, it will need to abandon a dual goal to keep the unemployment rate low.
Stand up to whinging gas giants
Readers’ letters on a controversial drawing in The Australian Financial Review, gas tax, replacing Jacinta Allan, and self-managed superannuation funds.
War will keep inflation ‘higher for longer’: Chalmers
New data from the period before the Iran conflict broke out shows headline inflation in Australia remained high and outside the Reserve Bank’s target range.
ASX restores $55b in value after 1.9pc rally; DroneShield surges 20pc
Shares rises the most in six weeks on Iran optimism; traders dial back rate rise bets; crude oil below $US100; gold miners rally; Alliance Aviation reassures investors. Follow live.
RBA calls for co-ordinated effort to unlock digital asset markets
A series of pilot transactions using digital assets drew a strong industry response, but the RBA says banks and regulators need to accelerate their efforts.
Two rate hikes, falling house prices tipped as inflation shock builds
Inflation from the oil shock is about to collide with an Australian economy that can keep growing strongly for the next six months.
Consumer confidence hits historic low ahead of May budget
The worst confidence result in more than 50 years has economists concerned about Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ ability to sell an ambitious tax plan in the budget.
Employers back 3.5pc increase in minimum wage amid inflation warning
The chamber of commerce and high-profile restaurateurs warn the ACTU’s 5 per cent claim could force the Reserve Bank to keep interest rates higher for longer.
Debelle interviews AOFM officials as review deadline nears
Former central banker Guy Debelle has been interviewing officials and financial market participants over the past few weeks, with more interviews expected this month.
Markets face ‘big 36 hours’ as Iran threats wipe billions from ASX
As the conflict in the Middle East drags on, big investors are growing increasingly uncertain, sending bond and equities markets yo-yoing.
Recession risk ignored as traders bet on triple rate rise
Bond markets price in three more hikes by Christmas as global yields hit 15-year highs, but economists warn aggressive tightening risks breaking the economy.
RBA governor bought $2m holiday home on day of rate rise
Michele Bullock has added a third investment property to her portfolio after settling on a luxurious holiday home in NSW’s Northern Rivers region.
Stocks to tumble as Trump delivers 48-hour ultimatum to Iran
The ASX was poised to tumble 1.8 per cent on Monday before US President Donald Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iranian power plants.
