Economy

Despite improving conditions in the global economy local consumer confidence has fallen, as households remain concerned about the state of their own finances.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has held the official interest rate for the third consecutive month, citing close to trend growth, inflation and lending rates.

Local businesses remain mostly positive about the state of the economy, despite the fact a sentiment survey registered its first decrease in business confidence in six months.

The question for SMEs is no longer “how will the NBN affect my business?” but “how can I best prepare to take advantage of it?” Here’s some expert advice.

Australian small businesses could definitely do worse than going into Hong Kong. Here’s a special report about the opportunities available for SMEs in this bustling business centre.

Consumer confidence fell by five percent in March, as Australians worry about rising interest rates and falling employment levels.

After days of being slammed by small business owners for scrapping Small Business September and other programs, the NSW Small Business Minister has today tried to brand the Opposition “out of touch with small business”.

Poor consumer spending remains a concern for many small and medium businesses, but a new Sensis report has found fewer SMB owners plan to sell or close their business now compared with six months ago.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has left interest rates unchanged at its monthly meeting today, with Governor Glenn Stevens saying it doesn’t appear the world economy is headed for another deep downturn.

Small businesses, especially those in retail and manufacturing, hold great concern over the impact the high Australian dollar will have on operations during the June quarter.

Unemployment is set to increase marginally in 2012, while temporary and contract recruitment is expected to remain high, a new survey has revealed.

Australia has the highest consumer confidence of all developed nations, a new survey has found, with optimism increasing locally for the first time since July 2010.

Following weeks of speculation about his aspirations to again lead the Labor party, Kevin Rudd has dramatically resigned as Foreign Minister, saying leadership rumblings have become a “soap opera” that’s impacting business confidence.

The number of small businesses going bankrupt jumped almost 50 percent over the last 12 months, and poor cashflow management is being blamed for the alarming figures.

Businesses have welcomed news of a surprise jump in consumer sentiment, as the number of optimists outweighs the number of pessimists for the first time in some months.

Thanks to the strength of the Australian dollar, Sydney has been named the seventh most expensive city in the world to live in, closely followed by Melbourne, which took out the eighth spot

Even with continuing reports of poor economic conditions, the majority of Australians would be prepared to change jobs if an opportunity arose to do so, a survey has found.

Australia’s small business commissioners have signed an agreement to work collaboratively for the benefit of small businesses around the country.

We’re obsessed with interest rates in Australia, keeping a keen eye on RBA decisions and subsequent reactions from lenders. But just what’s going on with rates at the moment? MYOB’s Kristy Sheppard explains…

Small to medium business confidence in the Government and Opposition has fallen over the past year, as many SMBs report dissatisfaction with the performance of politicians in general.