Frances Du

Australia’s household spending came in slightly weaker than expected in February, even as the Reserve Bank reduced interest rates for the first time in more than four years in that month.

Australian home prices climbed to a fresh high in March buoyed by an interest-rate cut, highlighting persistent demand and suggesting housing will remain a significant issue in the current election campaign.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. economists pushed back their call for Australia’s next interest-rate cut to May from next week, citing uncertainty in domestic politics as well as the global trade outlook.

A measure of Australian inflation unexpectedly cooled in February, bolstering the case for the Reserve Bank to reduce interest rates further in the months ahead.

A measure of Australian inflation unexpectedly cooled in February, bolstering the case for the Reserve Bank to reduce interest rates further in the months ahead.

A measure of Australian inflation unexpectedly cooled in February, bolstering the case for the Reserve Bank to reduce interest rates further in the months ahead.

Australian employment surprisingly dropped in February, sending the currency and government bond yields lower as traders boosted bets on further interest-rate cuts this year.

Australian employment surprisingly dropped in February, sending the currency and government bond yields lower as traders boosted bets on further interest-rate cuts this year.

Australia’s consumer confidence picked up in March as inflation pressures eased and the Reserve Bank reduced interest rates for the first time in four years.

Economic inequality in Australia has climbed to the highest level in more than 20 years, according to a highly regarded survey in which more than half of respondents reported a decline in their real incomes.