Economic Indicators INVESTMENT MARKETS DATA: | Economic Growth | Quarter | Year | | Australian GDP | 0.6% (Dec 07) | 3.9% (to Dec 07) | | U.S. GDP (annualised) | 0.6% (Dec 07) | 2.5% (to Dec 07) | | Inflation | | Australian CPI | 0.9% (Dec 07) | 3.0% (Dec 07) | | U.S. CPI | --- | 4.0% (Feb 08) | | Unemployment | | Australian Unemployment Rate | --- | 4.0% (to Feb 08) | | U.S. Unemployment Rate | --- | 4.8% (to Feb 08) | | Official Interest Rates | at 31st March 08 | at 29th February 08 | | RBA cash rate | 7.25 | 7.00 | | US Federal Funds Rate | 2.25 | 3.00 | | Bank of Japan | 0.50 | 0.50 | | European Central Bank | 4.00 | 4.00 | | Bank of England | 5.25 | 5.25 | | 10 Year Bond Rates | | Australian Interest Rates - 10 year bond yield | 6.05 | 6.21 | | U.S. Interest Rates - 10 year bond yield | 3.41 | 3.51 | | Exchange Rates | | $A/$USD Exchange Rate | 0.9129 | 0.9354 | | $A/$EUR Exchange Rate | 0.5761 | 0.6162 | | $A/$GBP Exchange Rate | 0.4593 | 0.4702 | | $A/$JPY Exchange Rate | 90.8605 | 97.3798 |
Investment market performance to 31st March 2008 Asset class | Index | 1 mth % | 3 mths % | 6 mths % | 1 yr % pa | 2 yr % pa | 3 yr % pa | 5 yr % pa | Australian cash | UBSA bank bill index | 0.7 | 1.8 | 3.6 | 7.0 | 6.6 | 6.3 | 5.9 | Australian fixed interest | UBSA composite bond index | 1.6 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 4.7 | International fixed interest | Lehman global aggregate (hedged) | 0.3 | 2.7 | 5.4 | 8.0 | 7.2 | 6.1 | 6.7 | Australian property | S&P/ASX 300 property trust accum index | 0.0 | -19.1 | -29.7 | -24.2 | -1.2 | 4.9 | 9.6 | International property | UBS global investors index ($A hedged) | 2.5 | -2.6 | -14.5 | -21.8 | -.04 | N/a | N/a | Australian share | S&P/ASX 300 accum index | -3.4 | -14.6 | -16.9 | -7.2 | 6.4 | 13.8 | 18.0 | International share (unhedged) | MSCI world ex Australia ($A unhedged) | 1.6 | -12.4 | -13.8 | -14.6 | -6.9 | 3.5 | 6.5 | International share (hedged) | MSCI world ex Australia ($A hedged) | -1.8 | -11.0 | -13.4 | -7.9 | 2.0 | 9.2 | 15.5 | International smaller companies | S&P / Citigroup World <US$1.5bn cap ($A unhedged net div) | 1.2 | -12.0 | -16.8 | -21.2 | -12.2 | N/a | N/a | Global emerging markets | MSCI EM in $A (div reinvested) | -3.0 | -14.4 | -10.6 | 7.4 | 6.9 | 22.3 | 24.8 |
Important information
The information contained in this publication is current at the date of issue and may change over time. This publication has been prepared to provide you with general information only. It is not intended to take the place of professional advice and you should not take action on specific issues in reliance on this information. In preparing this information we did not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. Before making an investment decision you need to consider (with or without the assistance of an adviser) whether this information is appropriate to your needs, objectives and circumstances.
18th-April-2008 | 
