February 2026
In the February edition of Economic Intelligence we cover:
- Productivity takes another turn for the worse in 2024-25: Our research note explores what the data tells us about why Australian productivity is stuck in the doldrums and what we might do to turn the ship around.
- Tracking Australian industry: Broad-based inflation returns; labour market tightened in December; private‑sector vacancies fell; casual employment continued to shrink; engineering activity weakened and government propped up economic growth.
- Q&A with AustralianSuper: The Investment Team at AustralianSuper reflect on 2025 and share their views on the key drivers of investment performance.
- Economic Forecasts: The RBA raised the cash rate to 3.85% in February in response to rising inflation and a tightening labour market, making it the first major central bank to act. The Bank’s forecasts suggest inflation will remain elevated and economic growth will soften over the coming year.
