The One Direction of economists came in the shape of the AB+F Breakfast with the Economists panel session in September in Sydney. The #BWTE event attracted hundreds of finance enthusiasts who were entertained by master facilitator, Stephen Koukoulas, Managing Director, Market Economics.
Paul Sheard, Chief Global Economist & Head of Global Economics & Research, S&P, opened up the event with a summary of global economies touching on EU GDP still 3% below the pre-crises peak level, US economy braking before the fiscal cliff, Japanese deflation since 1994 and China’s expected continued growth.
The rest of the panellists left no stone unturned with Annette Beacher, TD Securities, on commodities highlighting that we have gone from indiscriminate buying to indiscriminate selling; Shane Oliver, AMP on his expectations of 6.25% unemployment; Rob Henderson, NAB on Australia’s looming spending crisis; and Michael Blythe, Commonwealth Bank, outlining the need for a firm election result to give investors more security.
Despite myriad concerns, the overriding message from the panel was positive. As Warren Hogan, ANZ, pointed out, it is easy for doom and gloom to snatch the headlines, so don’t believe all the hype in the media. Australia has it pretty good.