Benchmark Analytics

Independent economic and financial services analysis

Original analysis of new Australian economic and financial-services data.

Subscribe Explore Political Data Alerts

Latest updates

28 Sep Understanding CBA's capital argument against Macquarie Bank 28 Sep Australia's banking accountability rules are being simplified. What is changing? 27 Sep Machines execute 85% of Australian share trading. ASIC is tightening the rules

Latest analysis

CBA

Understanding CBA's capital argument against Macquarie Bank

CBA has raised questions about the capital treatment of Macquarie’s NOHC structure. Here is how bank capital works, how the two structures differ, and why capital requirements can affect lending and deposit pricing.

Financial Accountability Regime Reforms

Australia's banking accountability rules are being simplified. What is changing?

Australia's financial regulators are proposing to simplify executive accountability rules affecting 4,500 people. The changes could halve accountability-map updates without removing the underlying obligations.

ASIC

Machines execute 85% of Australian share trading. ASIC is tightening the rules

Algorithms execute 85% of Australian share trading. Discover how automated trading works, the risks ASIC has identified and its new rules for 2028.

Unemployment Rate by Prime Minister

Unemployment under Australia's prime ministers

Nearly five decades of ABS data reveal how Australia's unemployment rate has varied across successive prime ministerial terms.

Houehold Wealth

Australia and America store their wealth very differently

More than half of Australian household assets are tied up in housing. In America, the equivalent figure is only one-quarter. The difference reveals two very different household balance sheets.

Benchmark Indicators

Australian economy at a glance

View all 15 indicators →

Political Data Alerts

Know what the new data means.

Priority monitoring and rapid analysis of the releases that matter to government relations, corporate affairs and policy teams.

Explore Political Data Alerts

More analysis

Barclays

Barclays returns to towns where it closed branches two years ago

Barclays has cut its UK branch network dramatically over the past decade. Now it is opening branches again — but the new model reveals how the role of face-to-face banking is changing.

Is anyone still working long hours?

Australia's latest labour force figures show unemployment rising to 4.6%. But behind the monthly figures is a structural change in how Australians work: the long working week is becoming increasingly uncommon. In August, employment increased by 39,500 people. Full-time employment fell by 6,300, while

IAG

Why the ACCC blocked IAG's acquisition of RAC Insurance

The ACCC says IAG's proposed acquisition of RAC Insurance would give it up to 65% of WA motor insurance and 60% of home insurance. Here's how the regulator reached its decision and what happens next.

Manufacturing

Australia’s manufacturing recovery is concentrated in four industries

Australian manufacturing employment is back above 900,000, but new ABS data show almost nine in every ten net jobs added since 2019 have come from just four manufacturing industries.

ASIC

Private credit in Australia: What is going on?

Private credit is providing billions in finance outside Australia's banking system. Following a major property-developer collapse, ASIC is escalating its response to weaknesses in fund governance, valuations and risk management.

Immigration

Immigration and productivity: what Australia’s migrant settlement data reveal

New ABS data reveal substantial differences in employment, education and earnings between Australia's migrant visa categories.

Petrol Price Breakdown

Explainer: Where your $100 petrol fill-up actually goes

Petrol prices begin with crude oil, but that is only the start. Benchmark Analytics traces a $100 fill-up through refining, shipping, wholesale terminals, tax and the service station.

Australian Petrol Prices

Petrol jumps 14 cents in a week: how the oil shock reaches the bowser

Petrol has jumped 14.3 cents a litre in Australia's major cities. The reason starts in international oil markets — but crude oil is only the first step in the journey to the bowser.

Independent economic and financial services analysis

Latest analysis

Australian economy at a glance

Know what the new data means.

More analysis

Independent analysis when decisions matter

Never miss new Benchmark analysis