Inflation stories
Cheaper ad-supported plans helped lift Australia's subscription entertainment market 5 per cent to 57.6 million services in the year to June 2026.
Builders and developers face tighter margins as the latest Cordell index shows national construction costs climbed 1.0% in the September quarter.
Businesses should prepare for wider currency swings in 2027 as competition for capital makes foreign exchange markets harder to predict.
Higher-than-expected price rises cut global real salary growth to 0.6% in 2026, leaving workers with weaker purchasing power in most countries.
Users in 100 million wallets will be able to receive USD and EUR through bank rails and hold the funds as stablecoins inside the app.
Small firms could face higher borrowing costs and wage bills after the Budget, according to advisers who said ministers offered too little relief.
Costly customer acquisition is pushing Australian retailers to use AI for better retention and productivity as 2027 growth targets sharpen.
Small employers say they still face the bulk of recruitment and mentoring costs, even after Budget measures aimed at easing apprenticeships and graduate hiring.
Fuel-price pressures helped lift spending, but CreditorWatch said the data still points to softer consumer demand after recent rate rises.
Ratepayers could face poorer roads and water systems if councils are forced to hold increases down, a leading economist says.
Residents face slimmer services and delayed projects as the council tries to stay within a future 2% to 4% rates cap.
Most Australian SMEs expect fuel and utility bills to squeeze margins over the next year, while 73% see the economy weakening.
Mortgage and business borrowing costs have climbed to their highest in 18 years after the Reserve Bank of Australia's 25 basis point move.
Borrowers face higher mortgage costs after the Reserve Bank lifted rates to 4.85%, its highest level in 18 years.
Mortgage repayments are about AUD $600 a month higher for average borrowers after the Reserve Bank lifted rates to 4.85%.
Many households are already raiding cash buffers, with 67% of UK adults using savings for everyday costs ahead of Christmas.
Borrowers could face higher repayments as economists say the cash rate is likely to rise 25 basis points to an 18-year high.
Auckland occupiers could face a longer wait for new office space, after rising costs and rates forced the developer to shelve its 55-storey tower.
Hiring improved in the September quarter as small business jobs rose 3.9%, though wage growth slowed and sector performance stayed uneven.
Agriculture and high street firms dragged on UK small business growth as sales rose just 4.0% in the September quarter, below normal levels.
