Author: roymorgansocial

‘It’s coming – it’s just how long it takes to come’

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Original article by Marnie O’Neill
abc.net.au – Page: Online : 27-Feb-20

The global death toll from the coronavirus has risen to 2,770, and more than 81,000 people worldwide have been diagnosed with the respiratory illness. There have been 23 confirmed cases in Australia, but Associate Professor Ian Mackay from the University of Queensland warns that it is only a matter of time before the nation experiences a major outbreak of the coronavirus. He adds that Australians should stock up on essentials such as batteries, toilet paper and canned food, but he stresses that there is no need for panic buying. Professor Mackay believes that a pandemic is inevitable.

CORPORATES
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND

Part time and casual jobs fuelling the growth of under-employment

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Original article by
abc.net.au – Page: Online : 27-Feb-20

Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine appeared on the ABC’s ‘7.30’ program on 26 February to discuss the issue of under-employment in Australia. Research by Roy Morgan shows that 8.7 per cent of the workforce is under-employed, compared with the official ABS figure of 8.5 per cent. Roy Morgan estimates that almost 1.2 million Australians were under-employed in 2019, an increase of nearly 450,000 since 2005. Levine says part-time jobs are growing at a faster rate than full-time jobs, and the economy would benefit from people having extra work if they wanted it. The ABS counts a person as being employed if they work for just one hour a week.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS, AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION

Rio to spend $US1b on climate

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Original article by Peter Ker
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 22 : 27-Feb-20

Rio Tinto has updated its climate change policies, which now include a net zero carbon emissions target of 2050. In addition, the resources group aims to reduce its scope 1 and scope 2 emissions to 15 per cent of 2018 levels by 2030, while it has set a goal of reducing its emissions intensity to 30 per cent of 2018 levels by the same date. However, it has not set any targets for scope 3 emissions. Rio Tinto has also committed to investing $US1bn ($1.5bn) in climate initiatives over the next five years.

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO

ACMA report shows Australians are embracing data-hungry tech

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Original article by Finbar O’Mallon
The New Daily – Page: Online : 27-Feb-20

The Australian Communications & Media Authority’s annual report has highlight consumers’ growing use of digital technologies. ACMA notes that almost nine in 10 Australians accessed the internet via mobile phone in 2018-19, although fixed internet lines accounted for the bulk of data downloads. Meanwhile, more than half of Australians use Netflix, while one in 10 Australian use at least four streaming video services. The figures also show that online advertising is now worth $8.8bn a year.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY, NETFLIX INCORPORATED

PM won’t identify foreign spy ring

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Original article by Andrew Tillett
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 4 : 26-Feb-20

ASIO’s director-general Mike Burgess has declined to identify any countries behind a recently-exposed foreign spy ring. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also refused to do so, citing national interest concerns. However, Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick says nations such as the US and Canada have "called out" the countries that are involved in espionage and foreign influence. He has suggested that China is the "most likely culprit".

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ORGANISATION, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, CENTRE ALLIANCE

What’s our strategy for slump in wake of virus?

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Original article by Robert Gottliebsen
The Australian – Page: 25 : 26-Feb-20

Research by Roy Morgan shows that one-in-six Australian businesses have already been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. This includes sectors of the economy that are among the biggest employers, such as manufacturing and education. However, small and medium enterprises are likely to be hardest hit by the economic fallout from the virus. The federal government is therefore to be commended for proposing to require large companies to pay suppliers more promptly. At present, the proposed legislation only applies to businesses with turnover of up to $10m, but it should be expanded to include medium-sized businesses.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED

Saviour found for Jeanswest chain

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Original article by Eli Greenblat
The Australian – Page: 19 : 26-Feb-20

The Australian subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Harbour Guide has secured a deal to acquire failed clothing retailer Jeanswest. Harbour Guide is owned by businessman Chun Fan Yeung, who is a shareholder in Jeanswest’s former parent company, Howsea. The sale to Harbour Guidance Pty Ltd is conditional on landlords agreeing to new lease arrangements for Jeanswest stores. The deal will result in up to 106 stores remaining open, which will allow about 680 employees to keep their jobs.

CORPORATES
JEANSWEST CORPORATION PTY LTD, HARBOUR GUIDE LIMITED, HARBOUR GUIDANCE PTY LTD, HOWSEA LIMITED

ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence decreases to 108.3

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 26-Feb-20

ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian Consumer Confidence fell 0.7% to 108.3 in the week ended 23 February. Current finances fell 4%, while future finances were down 5.2% for a second straight weekly loss. In contrast, current economic conditions gained 2.4%, building on the strong rise of 6.5% in the previous reading; future economic conditions rose 2.7%. The ‘Time to buy a major household item’ subindex gained 1.7% after declining for two successive weeks. The four-week moving average for inflation expectations was stable at 4%.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ

BHP digs deep to make most of data analytics

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Original article by Nick Evans
The Australian – Page: 17 & 21 : 26-Feb-20

BHP will seek further productivity gains by increasing its focus on technologies such as data analytics and machine learning. The resources giant is also expected to make greater use of cloud technology rather than continuing to operate its own data centres. BHP will restructure its technology division as part of this process, which is expected to result in the loss of about 700 jobs in a division that employs 2,000 people. BHP will redeploy some of the displaced workers.

CORPORATES
BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP

Blow to trade far larger than Trump

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Original article by Tony Boyd
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 16 : 26-Feb-20

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink says the coronavirus outbreak has highlighted the dangers of being too dependent on China for imported goods, and companies will need to diversify their supply chains. He also expects the coronavirus to have a greater impact on international trade than the tariff war that was initiated by President Donald Trump. Fink adds that rather than relying on the monetary policy measures of central banks, governments will need to pursue fiscal stimulus if the coronavirus affects global economic growth.

CORPORATES
BLACKROCK INCORPORATED, UNITED STATES. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT