澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2012-04-25（在线收听） |
A benign inflation reading has most economists now expecting the Reserve Bank will cut the cash rate by 50 basis points by the middle of this year. Inflation rose just 0.1 per cent for the March quarter, and the annual rate is now well below the Reserve Bank's target range. The bureau says food prices fell by 30 per cent. Holiday travel also declined, as did household goods like electricals and furniture. This was slightly offset by a significant price rise in the cost of pharmaceuticals and education. Fuel, health care and rent saw smaller rises. Turning to market reaction now, and Australian dollar was savaged by the inflation data. It's now worth below 103 US cents. The local share market gave up most of the gains made on the back of the inflation figures because of worries about Europe. The ASX 200 rose eight points.
Looking at the sectors, and retail giant Wesfarmers rose on a positive sales report. Resort stocks came under pressure while Westpac led the big four banks higher. Weak growth figures and political instability in Europe is weighing on Asian markets and on commodities as well. Gold has been under pressure throughout trade. |
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