Capital Brief — Business news and politics for the new economy
Google clashes with Australian media over AI training disclosure. Capital Brief covers business and politics news for those shaping the new Australian economy: founders and executives who need capital to grow their businesses, the people who help them get it, investors who allocate it, and decision makers in the federal capital, Canberra.
US services sector activity surges to 2-year high — Capital Brief
1 day ago · The news: US service sector activity surged in October, hitting a 26-month high, with the ISM non-manufacturing PMI reaching 56, up from 54.9 in September. The numbers: The growth defied expectations, supported by hiring increases and robust consumer spending, even amid recent Boeing strikes and hurricane disruptions. Economists polled by Reuters had …
US economy in soft landing ahead of elections — Capital Brief
Oct 30, 2024 · Election economics: The US economy grew 2.8% in the third quarter, driven by strong consumer demand and bolstered by business investment and government spending, particularly in defence, according to a preliminary estimate by the Commerce Department. Days before the 5 November US presidential election, the data came slightly lower than the 3% ...
US data gives mixed signals ahead of election, Fed cut
Oct 29, 2024 · 1. Mixed signals: US data showing rising US consumer confidence, a cooling labour market and a widening trade deficit gave mixed economic signals, highlighting the challenge for policymakers to balance growth optimism with signs of slowing job demand and trade pressures. US consumer confidence surged in October, marking the strongest monthly …
US confidence surges amid cooling jobs, rising trade deficit
Oct 29, 2024 · The news: US data showing rising US consumer confidence, a cooling labour market and a widening trade deficit gave mixed economic signals, highlighting the challenge for policymakers to balance growth optimism with signs of slowing job demand and trade pressures. The numbers: US consumer confidence surged in October, marking the strongest monthly rise …
US economy rises 2.8% in 3Q, driven by spending ahead of election
6 days ago · The news: The US economy grew 2.8% in the third quarter, driven by strong consumer demand and bolstered by business investment and government spending, particularly in defence, according to a preliminary estimate by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The context: The data comes just days before a contested US presidential election on 5 November, with the …
Microsoft breaks revenue record (again) amid AI boom
6 days ago · As is quickly becoming a theme during this American earnings season, CEO Satya Nadella chalked Microsoft's strong performance to returns from its AI investments. The numbers: Revenue of US$65.5 billion ($99.6 billion) represents a new quarterly record for the storied company, and was over US$1 billion more than analysts expected.
US jobs report surprise shifts Fed cut odds — Capital Brief
Oct 6, 2024 · The data moved bets on Fed funds futures sharply towards a 25-basis-point cut in November, down almost 10 basis points from before the report, according to Bloomberg. It also pushed US shares higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.81% to close at a new record high. The numbers exceeded the 140,000 jobs forecast by economists ...
US Fed’s Powell signals gradual cuts to keep economy strong
Sep 30, 2024 · The news: US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signalled the central bank will continue lowering interest rates gradually to support economic growth and employment, aiming for a "soft landing" where inflation reaches the 2% target without a surge in joblessness. The numbers: The Fed cut rates by half a percentage point in September, the first cut since …
US Fed on soft landing path with gradual cuts — Capital Brief
Sep 30, 2024 · 1. Fed path: US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signalled the central bank will continue lowering interest rates gradually to support economic growth and employment, aiming for a "soft landing" where inflation reaches the 2% target without a surge in joblessness. Following the Fed’s jumbo half-percentage point cut in September, Powell said the bank is not …