Australia Business Activity Robust In April, Cost Pressures Still A Challenge

Australia Business Activity Robust In April, Cost Pressures Still A Challenge

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian business conditions remained sturdy in April, supported by robust sales and labour market strength despite high inflation and rising interest rates, while cost pressures were still posing a challenge for firms. The survey from National Australia Bank Ltd (NAB) released on Monday showed its index of business conditions fell two points…

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Australia business activity robust in April, cost pressures still a challenge

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian business conditions remained sturdy in April, supported by robust sales and labour market strength despite high inflation and rising interest rates, while cost pressures were still posing a challenge for firms. The survey from National Australia Bank Ltd (NAB) released on Monday showed its index of business conditions fell two points…

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Top Biden aide discusses Yemen peace efforts with Saudi crown prince

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a visit to the kingdom on Sunday and reviewed what the White House called “significant progress” in Yemen peace efforts, the White House said. On a trip aimed at bolstering often-frayed ties with Riyadh, Sullivan also held joint…

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Australian govt pledges $10 billion in budget to ease cost of living

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia’s centre-left Labor government said on Monday it would include A$14.6 billion ($9.84 billion) over four years in the federal budget for cost of living relief for families and businesses, which it promised would not stoke inflation. The plan is designed to directly ease price pressures and inflation, the federal government said,…

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Fighting in Khartoum as mediators seek end to Sudan conflict

KHARTOUM (Reuters) -Fighting could be heard in south Khartoum on Sunday as envoys from Sudan’s warring parties met in Saudi Arabia for talks that international mediators hope will bring an end to a three-week-old conflict that has killed hundreds and triggered an exodus. The U.S.-Saudi initiative is the first serious attempt to end fighting between…

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Australia's Westpac Flags H2 Margin Pressure, Drops Cost Target

Australia’s Westpac Flags H2 Margin Pressure, Drops Cost Target

By Roushni Nair (Reuters) -Australia’s Westpac Banking Corp on Monday warned of “intense” mortgage competition pressuring its margins in the current half, and said it was dropping a cost target to instead focus on relative peer performance because of high inflation. Westpac, which previously benefited from a bold cost-cutting strategy, disclosed plans to move away…

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