Money

Australian watchdog investigating shipping cost price-hike

Published

4 years ago

September 13, 2021

Australia’s consumer watchdog has opened up an investigation into the dramatic rise in global shipping and container costs following the pandemic

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission confirmed it has opened the inquiry, particularly focusing on the sharp rise on the price and movement of shipping containers.

ACCC chairman Rod Sims says he is aware of what is going on within the shipping industry and “is investigating it.”

“There is a limited amount I can say on it, but we are looking at the freight system – particularly the role that containers play, I can certainly say that, and that is certainly on the list of investigations”

The costs of shipping containers have risen more than 300 per cent in the last year, with steeper prices crunching retailer profit margins.

Shipping containers costs have risen more than 300 per cent in the last year, with steeper prices crunching retailer profit margins.

The shortage of containers

The insufficient supply of container ships has been blamed on supply chain disruptions caused by COVID and recent virus outbreaks at key ports in China.

But many Australian business executives say that they believe the container shortage is “partially artificial” and that the industry is just playing on the excuse as a reason to squeeze higher prices.

The massive steel containers piled onto ships are vital for the international movement of goods.

The skyrocketing cost of shipping containers that bring everything from sneakers and sofas to washing machines to Australia has ratcheted up costs for importers – especially the retail sector, which has shaved its profit margins.

Reserve Bank of Australia responds

The economic impact has also reached the attention of the Reserve Bank.

In its May statement on monetary policy, the RBA reported on a five-fold increase in shipping container prices since 2019.

The RBA stated that the lack of shipping containers had resulted in sharp increases in global shipping prices and also contributed delivery delays.

Money

Stocks rally ahead of Thanksgiving as markets log four days of gains

Markets gain momentum ahead of Thanksgiving, with the Dow up 388 points and Oracle rising 4% amid investor optimism.

Published

1 week ago

November 27, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Markets gain momentum ahead of Thanksgiving, with the Dow up 388 points and Oracle rising 4% amid investor optimism.

Markets are moving into the Thanksgiving break with strong momentum, as stocks notch four straight days of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 388 points, while the S&P 500 added 0.9%, pushing both indexes toward their best week since June.

Oracle led major movers, rising more than 4% after Deutsche Bank reaffirmed its bullish outlook on the tech giant. Broad investor optimism continues building across sectors as economic data softens and earnings remain resilient.

All eyes are now on the Federal Reserve and what potential shifts in interest-rate policy may mean for the markets. U.S. markets will close Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday and reopen Friday for a shortened trading session.

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Money

Dow surges 500 points amid rate cut optimism

Dow jumps 569 points on fresh hopes for December rate cut and AI market optimism

Published

2 weeks ago

November 26, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Dow jumps 569 points on fresh hopes for December rate cut and AI market optimism

In Short:
– Dow Jones rose 569 points, reflecting optimism for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut.
– Alphabet’s stock increased as Meta may invest in AI chips, but Nvidia’s declined amid market concerns.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 569 points or 1.2% on Tuesday, reflecting investor optimism for an upcoming Federal Reserve interest rate cut. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also posted gains, up 0.8% and 0.4% respectively. This represented a recovery from earlier losses, where the S&P 500 briefly fell by 0.7%.

Markets anticipate an 85% chance of a quarter-point rate cut in December, driven by comments from New York Fed President John Williams, who indicated the possibility of lower rates soon. Investor sentiment strengthened following reports that Kevin Hassett may be appointed as the next Fed chair, potentially resulting in a more lenient monetary policy.

Tech Sector

Alphabet saw its stock rise by over 1% after reports indicated that Meta Platforms might invest in its AI chips. This could signal increased demand for AI technology, benefiting the sector overall. However, Nvidia’s stock fell more than 3%, suggesting concerns about its dominance in the AI chip market.

Investors are also wary of the valuation of tech stocks. Despite recent gains, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq remain down over 1% and 3%, respectively, for November, while the Dow has lost more than 1% this month. The broader market’s performance indicates ongoing scrutiny regarding tech valuations amid changing economic expectations.

Money

Gold prices surge as Central Banks buy big, but risks grow ahead

Gold prices surge as central banks increase demand; risks include a stronger dollar and rising interest rates.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 25, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Gold prices surge as central banks increase demand; risks include a stronger dollar and rising interest rates.

Gold prices are climbing fast as central banks ramp up buying, pushing demand to its highest levels in years. The metal’s reputation as a safe haven is strengthening, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions and global financial uncertainty.

But experts warn the shine could fade. A stronger US dollar and the possibility of rising interest rates may weigh on momentum, making investors question how long the rally can last.

Dr Steven Enticott from CIA Tax breaks down the drivers behind gold’s surge—from ETF inflows to physical bar demand—and what could send the price sharply higher… or lower.

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