Australia Briefing
Good morning everyone, it’s Ainslie in gloomy Sydney, with all the morning news. It seems even Chanel isn’t immune to the impact of the tari
View in browser
Bloomberg

Good morning everyone, it’s Ainslie in gloomy Sydney, with all the morning news. It seems even Chanel isn’t immune to the impact of the tariff wars. But first...

Today’s must-reads:
• Has the RBA’s experiment paid off?
• New Zealand budget preview
Elon Musk talks to Bloomberg News

What's happening now

Through the post-Covid cost-of-living crisis, Australia’s central bank took a gentler approach than global peers to reining in inflation, managing to keep the economy close to full employment throughout — a rare feat that’s sparked debate about its viability as a model to tackle future crises.  The RBA on Tuesday cut the key interest rate by 25bps to a two-year low of 3.85%, its second cut in the current easing cycle. 

RBA Governor Michele Bullock during the IMF and World Bank Spring meetings in April Photographer: Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg

New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis is set to keep a a tight rein on spending in tomorrow’s budget, as uncertainty about global growth holds back a domestic recovery and restrains government revenue. She’ll deliver the budget at 2 p.m. Thursday in Wellington (12 p.m. in Sydney).

AustralianSuper is bulking up its global private and listed equities teams, planning to add about half a dozen more staff this year to expand its London and New York offices, said Mark Hargraves, London-based head of international equities and private equity, in an interview. 

Australia’s decades-long Liberal-National tie-up will end after the leader of the National Party, David Littleproud, said his party won’t form another coalition agreement with the Liberal Party.

Goldman Sachs Group’s head for New Zealand, Andrew Barclay, will leave the firm after more than 25 years.  Nathan Bond, who joined the firm last year, will continue in his role as head of corporate advisory in New Zealand, according to a memo sent to staff on Tuesday. 

What happened overnight

Here’s what my colleague, market strategist Mike “Willo” Wilson says happened while we were sleeping…

US stocks broke a six-session winning streak Tuesday and bond yields rose as the narrative turned to fractious US budget negotiations amid growth in deficit spending. The dollar eased against major currencies save for the kiwi and Aussie, the latter of which still carries losses made after the RBA’s dovish cut. Today, second tier data either side of the Tasman shouldn't trouble the New Zealand dollar’s out-performance over its Aussie peer. Futures indicate a positive opening for the ASX as money continues to pour in from offshore.

Pension fund managers operating under Hong Kong’s HK$1.3 trillion Mandatory Provident Fund system have flagged the risk of potential forced selling on their Treasury holdings after a downgrade by Moody’s Ratings of US debt, Bloomberg News reported. 

US President Donald Trump vowed that a “Golden Dome” missile-defense shield should be “fully operational” by the end of his term, saying it would be able to protect the US from threats including ballistic missiles, hypersonics and advanced cruise missiles. 

Elon Musk said he’s committed to still leading Tesla five years from now and expects to pare back his political spending. The billionaire offered new details about his plans in a wide-ranging interview with Bloomberg News that also touched on his compensation, Tesla’s sliding sales and a possible spinoff of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite business.

Elon Musk speaks via video link at the Qatar Economic Forum (QEF) in Doha. Photographer: Christopher Pike/Bloomberg

And European officials are weighing how to respond to US efforts to thwart local DEI programs, as the two regions come closer than ever to clashing over anti-discrimination policies. 

China’s four-year real estate crash is showing few signs of abating, with construction of new housing now back to the levels of the early 2000s. “The end of China’s world-changing period of epic growth will at least provide a breather for a planet that has nearly choked on its effects,” writes Bloomberg Opinion’s David Fickling.

What to watch

• New Zealand trade data, 8:45 a.m. (Sydney time)

One more thing...

Chanel Ltd. profit plunged last year as it splurged on expanding its retail network and marketing to remain visible amid a luxury industry downturn. Operating profit slid 30% to $4.48 billion, it said. The slump came as the luxury market struggles to emerge from a period of sluggish growth caused in part by Chinese shoppers reining in costly purchases. The industry’s outlook has grown even gloomier amid the tariff war.

A shopper holds a Chanel and other shopping bags, in Rome. Photographer: Stephanie Gengotti/Bloomberg
Follow Us

Like getting this newsletter? Subscribe to Bloomberg.com for unlimited access to trusted, data-driven journalism and subscriber-only insights.

Want to sponsor this newsletter? Get in touch here.

You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg's Australia Briefing newsletter. If a friend forwarded you this message, sign up here to get it in your inbox.
Unsubscribe
Bloomberg.com
Contact Us
Bloomberg L.P.
731 Lexington Avenue,
New York, NY 10022
Ads Powered By Liveintent Ad Choices