Rate Rise Ahead
ONE of Australia’s largest banks today warned homeowners to prepare for a rise in interest rates next month.
National Australia Bank changed its official forecast and now believes the Reserve Bank will hike interest rates by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent when it meets on October 5.
Financial markets believe a move in interest rates next month is a line-ball call, but analysts are certain rates will be higher by the end of the year. Read more
Time to go Overseas
With high commodity prices and a good economic outlook, the experts say our currency will go higher.
After falling during the depths of the global financial crisis, the Australian dollar is again riding high. There’s never been a better time to travel overseas.
The Australian dollar is buying about US93¢ and is almost equal to its all-time high against the euro, with our dollar buying more than 70¢ compared with about 50¢ two years ago. Read more