Takeya Classic Glass Water Bottle with Silicone Sleeve, Purple, 16-1/2-Ounce

FeaturesHigh quality glass bottle provides a healthier way to drinkSilicone sleeve provides a good grip, a see-through window, and protects the glass vesselEliminates toxic leaching that plastic can causeInnovative design holds 16-1/2 ouncesDishwasher...

Read more »

Property Update: Lessons from the UK crisis

I write for Property Update today on the topic of the UK housing crisis.You can read the article he...

Read more »

The accelerating Australian population boom

It's a bit of a mystery to me why people are so keen to try to dismiss population growth as a key factor which underpins our major capital city property markets.I mean, just take a look at today's numbers from the ABS:Source: ABSIn the year to December...

Read more »

Return of the Urn 2013? Poms 1 Green caps 0

Unbelievable stuff in the first Ashes Test in Nottingham, with England squeezing home by only 14 runs.Australia are now $4.50 to win the series if anyone is feeling brave...Can't wait for the 2nd Test at Lor...

Read more »

Gold capitulation continues

A big bounce for Aussie stocks today up around more than 1.6% following positive US economic data.But gold shed another 3.3% to just $1,228/oz. In the second half of 2011, prices had stormed up to $1,900/oz but this year alone the precious metal...

Read more »

The nature of growth

Greetings from bright but rather brisk England where I've been hanging out for the past week. Busy as ever, I've been taking in a bit of culture, being the history buff that I am. In the last week, I've visited the ruins of the 6th century fort of Bolingbroke Castle, which was once one of the most important sites in Britain, being the birthplace of Henry IV. Today, it's essentially a mound...

Read more »

Gloves In A Bottle Shielding Lotion 8 fl oz (240 ml)

FeaturesA shielding lotion: rapidly absorbs, protects the skin to retains its natural moisture-Like wearing an invisible pair of gloves!Actually prevents dry skin, unlike conventional lotions which only act as a temporary (ineffective) solution.Made...

Read more »

Prices set to soar as dollar falls to 33 month low

Inflation in the pipeline as the dollar falls, reports SMH here:The days of cheap overseas travel and attractive online prices are over, leading economists say. With the Australian dollar falling to a 33-month low on Thursday, travel and online retail prices are expected to soar immediately.Petrol, whitegoods and electronic equipment prices are expected to rise by up to 10 per cent.Mr Harvey said...

Read more »

How are futures markets seeing the interest rate decision?

Fairly conclusive then, with the chances of rate cut to 2.50% being 100% priced in.Does that mean that there is 0% of chance of interest rates staying on hold? Not quite. August 2013 cash rate futures contracts are trading at 97.455, so what...

Read more »

UK housing market +3.7% and ready for lift-off

Flicking through The Times this morning, and there are no fewer than six separate articles discussing Britain's housing market recovery.The Halifax House Price index shows that prices nationwide are up over the past year (+3.7%).While prices in some parts of south-eastern cities such as London and Cambridge never really stumbled, many other parts of Britain have endured a 5 year slump.The UK's FTSE...

Read more »

Property Update: are low interest rates working?

I write for Property Update here on whether monetary policy is being effective.Since I wrote this we've had weaker retail trade figures and a 4 year low in business confidence reported by the NAB survey - there's another interest rate cut in the pipeline.In...

Read more »

Rio hits record iron ore production

Rio Tinto (RIO) released its second quarter operations review showing sizeable y/y increases in production and shipments of iron ore, as well as material increases in copper, aluminium, thermal coal and titanium dioxide production.If you've been up to the Pilbara in recent times, you'll already know what a spectacular sight the operations up there represent. From the ASX release:"-Record first half...

Read more »

Dow futures rise as economy adds 195,000 workers

US payrolls up for a second straight month +195,000 workers beating market expectations of +165,000.The US unemployment rate is 7.6%, so there is still plenty to do, but this is a stark improvement on the 9%+ levels of two years ago."Not a booming report, but a satisfactory report" as the US recovery continues...

Read more »

Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Trike Red

FeaturesRemovable wrap around tray for safety3 point harness to keep infants safeAdjustable grow-with-me seatPedals become footrests when pushedFor 9 Months - 5 YearsList Price: $109.99Special Offer: check this out!Related Products I Love My Bike Bicycle...

Read more »

Gold miners slammed

There has been a reasonable bounce in the gold price in recent weeks, but much of the pain has already been felt by the gold miners.Share prices had been pumped up across the sector as forward earnings estimates were modelled based upon a continuing...

Read more »

Koolatron 28-Quart Soft-Sided Electric Travel Cooler, Black

FeaturesSoft-sided electric travel cooler with 12 volt, cigarette-lighter car adapterAdjustable shoulder strap; external zippered pocket for storage, mesh interior pocket; 2 exterior beverage holders, cell phone pocketCools to 16.5C (30F) below ambient...

Read more »

SQM's Louis Christopher on the Aussie housing market

Interesting video on Switzer TV here featuring Louis Christopher of SQM, who tends to talk a lot of sense.He notes that the Sydney market is very strong with stock levels plummeting (by more than 23% y/y), and this is being reflecting in housing...

Read more »

Property Observer: most read articles

My piece on the Aussie housing bubble is the most read article on Property Observer.Take a read he...

Read more »

BICO AUSTRALIA JEWELRY (E303) KORUTAO - INNER EVOLUTION & AEON - Comes with a Generic 18 inch (to 20in) Adjustable 4mm Black Rubber Necklace.

FeaturesBICO AUSTRALIA JEWELRYE303 - KORUTAOINNER EVOLUTION & AEONALL PENDANTS AND MOST METAL ELEMENTS ARE MADE OF FINE GRADE PEWTERList Price: Special Offer: check this out!Related Products BICO AUSTRALIA JEWELRY (B34) PHOENIX - REGENERATION INDESTRUCTIBLE...

Read more »

Sydney dwelling prices +2.7% in June

The month draws to a close and RP Data's index shows that Sydney dwelling prices are up more than 2.7% in the month of June alone, increasing substantially from $649,000 to more than $667,000.While I'm not a fan on monthly figures due to their inherent...

Read more »

Aussie dollar to fall to 75 cents?

From SMH:"More bears have joined the downgrading party against the dollar, with a major investment bank expecting the currency to fall to US75¢ in 12 months as enthusiasm for what was once dubbed the ''Goldilocks economy'' grows cold.While the dollar has fallen more than 13 per cent against its US counterpart since mid-April, Credit Suisse analysts said on Thursday they expected it to slip further...

Read more »

Bloomie survey sees unemployment 5.6%; housing finance jump

The latest Bloomberg survey expects unemployment of 5.6% next week, up a tick from 5.5% in May with only a tiny increase in jobs forecast.Over the past year, jobs growth has been all about New South Wales, which has been reflected in a surging housing...

Read more »

Made in Australia

List Price: $20.98Special Offer: check this out!Related Products Unstoppable Momentum Db III HBC Cosmic Year IouProduct DescriptionThis concert was captured live at the Evelyn Hotel in Melbourne, Australia on June 20th 2003. Virgil Donati - Drums, Ric...

Read more »

Sterling Silver and Stainless Steel Round St. Christopher Medal, 20"

FeaturesSterling silver pendant with an included stainless steel chain.This item is handcrafted in the USADomesticList Price: $50.00Special Offer: check this out!Related Products Sterling Silver Oval St Christopher Medal with Black Writing, 20" St. Christopher...

Read more »

Newcrest...oops

Gold-mining company Newcrest sank as low as $9.96 in the trade, having been pole-axed from above $40 in 2011.A complete mess - business reviews, project withdrawals...bottom-picking when the share price halved turned out to be a very poor strategy.Wonder...

Read more »

Spillard (again) ends in Kevenge

So, Labor has another leadership spill (again) and Australia will get another Prime Minister (again).Well, kind of, we'll be reverting back to Kevin Rudd (again), for now at least.It's all a bit deja vu.This is only a politics blog to the extent that politics impacts the economy, and I think that, regardless of whether the Coalition or Labor get voted back in in the coming few months, it will be a...

Read more »

US unemployment falls from 7.6% to 7.4%

The US economy added 162,000 workers in July as unemployment continue its downward trend of the last couple of years from 7.6% to 7.4%.It had been hoped that the payrolls data would show more jobs added, but the drop in the unemployment rate was nevertheless...

Read more »

Propolis & Honey Soap 100g by Australian By Nature - Made in AUSTRALIA

FeaturesAustralian made.A long lasting soap combining the natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties of propolis and honey.When use regularly Australian By Nature's propolis and honey soap protects, moisturises and leaves you feeling clean and softall...

Read more »

Could one of Australia's main lenders fail? (and what would happen if they did?)

The Big FourAustralia's four major banks were named this week as being the most profitable in the whole world...for the third year in a row! Big bank profits appear likely to come it at well in excess of a combined $25 billion, and probably some way higher than that.Why? It's partly because the Australian banks have wider interest margins than most, and lower equivalent costs. It's also because...

Read more »

Flat Stanley (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Flat Stanley (Prebound))

List Price: $14.75Special Offer: check this out!Amazon.com ReviewPoor Stanley. He's a perfectly normal boy until one morning he wakes up flat. After his parents peel the incriminating bulletin board off of him, Stanley must adjust to life as a pancake....

Read more »

Sydney auction clearance rate ~70%...ish

Fewer auctions this weekend as it is the Queen's Birthday long weekend.APM reported here that there were 253 auctions to be held this weekend with the highest listings on the north shore and in the inner west.And APM later reported here that the clearance rate was 70%.However, the reported results only covered 171 properties. These inconsistencies cause scepticism around the robust nature of results.I...

Read more »

AUD hits 89.36 cents

And, there it is...The resilient Aussie dollar finally cracks and drops below 90 cents hitting 89.36 cents down from 106.24 cents in just a few short months, before bouncing a little.That's great news for the economy and the lowest level we have seen since September 2010, nearly three years ago.Perhaps the market is anticipating more than one interest rate cut yet...It's been a long, long time coming,...

Read more »

Fujifilm INSTAX MINI Twin Pack Instant Film

FeaturesHi-Speed 800 ISOSuper-Fine grainVivid, sharp imagesFast developingImage Size: 2.13" x 3.4"List Price: $20.75Special Offer: check this out!Related Products Fuji Instax IS32-STN084 Mini Zippered Camera Case for INSTAX Mini-7s, Mini-8, Mini-25,...

Read more »