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Survey: Consumer Sentiment Falls in April

A measure of Australian consumer sentiment fell in April as people fretted about the economic outlook even as they felt better about splashing out on big-ticket household items.  Wednesday’s survey of 1,200 people by the Melbourne Institute and Westpac Bank showed its index of consumer sentiment slipped a seasonally adjusted 3.2 percent in April, from […]

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Australia and China to Address Iron Ore Demand

Australia’s Treasurer Joe Hockey plans to discuss iron ore demand with his Chinese counterpart after rising output from BHP Billiton Ltd. and Rio Tinto Group helped drive the metal’s price below $50 a metric ton this month. Australia, the world’s biggest supplier, is contemplating a price as low as $35 in next month’s budget, while

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Consumer Confidence Falls Before May Budget

Consumer confidence has fallen ahead of the May federal budget, as drops in commodity prices sparks worries about the economy. The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index showed consumer sentiment fell by 3.2 per cent in April to 96.2 points, staying below 100 points and indicating there are more pessimists about the economy than optimists. Westpac chief economist

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