Money

Corporate profits are leading to higher prices

Published

2 years ago

June 19, 2023

Economic data shows corporate profits contributed to inflation in Australia more than wages and employees

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development is the latest leading economic body showing the important role historically high corporate profits play in driving up inflation.

The Covid-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine and supply chain crunch are among the biggest factors driving up the cost of living.

As such, inflation—that rate in which goods and service increase—has steadily climbed across many parts of the world.

Policy Director at the Centre for Future Work at The Australia Institute Greg Jericho said the latest modelling shows the crucial role of corporate profits in driving inflation.

“Companies, in a sense knowing this is an inflationary period, are having to increase their prices because of supply side issues and import costs.”

The Australia Institute has previously found companies in Australia and many other industrial countries have taken advantage of the disruptions, shortages, and desperation of the pandemic to push up profit margins far beyond normal levels.

In Australia, corporate profits reached their highest share of GDP ever in 2022.

“Workers are now struggling to catch up to prices, and recover the loss in their real wages. However, the RBA continues to ignore the role of profits in driving prices, while doubling down on its determination to suppress wage growth,” said Dr Jim Stanford, who is from the Centre for Future Work at The Australia Institute.

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

6 days 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.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#Markets #Stocks #Thanksgiving #DowJones #SP500 #Oracle #FederalReserve #FinanceNews

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

1 week 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

1 week 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.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#gold #markets #centralbanks #economy #finance #investing #interestRates #usdollar