Paxter

The RBA's economic tightrope walking continues. Headline inflation came in a little hot yesterday, at 5.4% annualized. The expectation was 5.3%. And even the trimmed mean (which takes out the most fluctuating prices, like fuel) came in slightly hotter than expected at 5.2%. The cash rate remains at 4.1% (compared to over 5% in the US), implying negative real interest rates in Australia. This isn't particularly restrictive compared to other countries and is hurting the Australian dollar, which has a flow-through effect on imports. But of course there is the matter of household debt in Australia, which is over 100% of GDP (high compared to peer countries)...the RBA doesn't want to trigger more household pain and a credit crisis.

We will see more of this kind of thing in the years to come, unless inflation miraculously tanks and the BoC can cut rates.

England have not played much 50-over cricket since the end of the last World Cup. The focus shifted to T20 and test matches, which was probably the right move, but has had an equal and opposite effect on the middle format. Anyway that was a truly shambolic performance by England. I think the top four is firming up now? India, NZ, SA, Aus. An antipodean delight.

Australia back into the mix with a much-needed win against Pakistan. Going to be a tight contest now for the three non-India slots at the top.

That was the upset the tournament needed. Puts more possible results in play.

I firmly believe this could have been the most incredible Yes referendum campaign in history and The Voice still would have lost. The Libs' opportunistic stance, voters' own ignorance and the difficulty in selling the proposal were the key drivers behind the loss. And Albo should have known all of this going into it.

I see no hope in that fact. Exactly the same happened in ‘99. Only a handful of electorates flipped over between the two votes.

I agree that there was a degree of hubris and overconfidence on the Govt side, which didn’t help matters. But ultimately, if we’re going to play a blame game, this is down to Australian voters. They are every bit as narrow-minded, uninformed and uncaring as they ever were. Some of the stuff flying around in my family Whatsapp is disgusting. Go WA. Oh and constitutional recognition failed in ‘99. Why bother trying that again? No payoff anyway for Aboriginal people.

That vote should never have proceeded. And actually WA wasn’t that bad on a relative basis! So I lost my bet.

I have a bet with my sister in law that WA will be in the bottom two states. Let’s see if they prove me wrong. My beloved Perth is truly a fucked place I fear.

Emotions running high today. Praying for a miracle but expecting a clusterfuck. I really hope WA doesn’t embarrass me today.

Feels like a thinly-veiled attempt to increase the subcontinent TV audience.

Yes, they are now ranked no higher than 7th or 8th across the three formats. Some of it is due to mean-reversion after the golden generation retired, but some of it is also due to mismanagement akin to what we have seen in the West Indies.

Second time SL have passed 300 in this World Cup only to be easily humbled. How the 50-over game has changed...

No Referendum has carried in Aus without bipartisan support. So the smart thing would have been to at least wait for a more amenable Opposition Leader. @Jeor: Give Mrs Jeor a high-five from me.

A week out from the referendum and I’m more convinced than ever that Albo should have shut this down and conceded defeat early. Most undecideds seem to be breaking for No, leaving no hope for the Yes campaign. I don’t even know if Yes will win a state at this point. I’m predicting 45-55 nationally (Yes-No) and maybe 1-2 states Yes. On an anecdotal note, my immediate family is voting Yes out of support for my partner, but most of my extended family is leaning No or a hard No.

India nearly slipped on a banana skin there with three ducks early, but have recovered nicely courtesy Virat and KL.

Short long-dated bonds? Trade of the year contender.

Yup, that's right. Current cap is 2.5%. It doesn't apply to new units though as the province is trying to increase the housing stock. Ontario caps 2024 rent increases at 2.5 per cent; does not apply to newer units | CBC News

My post from April has aged pretty well, though cash was probably the better bet than bonds: I don't buy into the 2007 hypothesis but I still wouldn't be surprised to see a recession and a stagnant period of earnings (bad for equities).

It's hard to really get excited about any ICC tournament these days - there are so many of them.

Nice payback for NZ in the first match of the WC! And a rather insipid start for the reigning champs.

Meh we have rent control in Ontario. It's not a freeze, but it's not off-the-charts dissimilar. Think we're kooky over here?

Personally, I think the upcoming income tax cuts are pretty kooky policy. That hasn't stopped the two mainstream parties.

Price controls is getting to developing-world crackpot for me. I don't even entertain that as an option.