Sat, 28th Dec 2024

In this week's finance news wrap, Paige Estritori discusses Australian's Boxing Day spending and upcoming economic predictions. According to the Australian Retailers Association, Aussies spent $1.3 billion during the Boxing Day sales, marking a 1.8% increase from the previous year. However, the retail sector faces challenges from low-cost international retailers, prompting local stores to release competitive deals. Experts predict a potential cut in interest rates in 2025, making borrowing cheaper and encouraging consumers to spend more. The Reserve Bank has not changed rates this month, but traders anticipate a drop to 4.10% in February. Elsewhere, the accommodation sector notes an increase in bookings, reflecting consumer resilience amid economic uncertainties. Estritori encourages listeners to keep an eye on interest rates and to make smart financial decisions as we move into 2025.n