Live ASX News Today
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5th Jun 12:36 AM AEST
Home loan commitments reach an all-time high: ABS
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has reported that new housing loan commitments have risen by 3.7 % in April 2021 to a record high of AU$31.0 billion.
Image Source: © Mopic | Megapixl.com
The value of current loan agreements for owner-occupied homes has hit another all-time high in April 2021, up 4.3 % to AU$23.0 billion, according to Katherine Keenan, ABS Director of Finance and Wealth. The director also added new investor loan commitments went up by 2.1 % to AU$8.1 billion, the highest level since mid-2017.
However, the HomeBuilder award was cut from AU$25k to AU$15k on 1 January 2021, and new applications were closed on 14 April 2021.
Loan commitments for first-time homebuyers
In April 2021, the number of owner-occupier first home buyer loan agreements declined by 1.9 % to 15,171. While the number of pledges fell for the third month in a row, it remained at its highest level since July 2009.
Territories and states
The majority of the increase in owner-occupied housing loan commitments across Australia was accounted for by an 8.6% increase in New South Wales and an 8.4% increase in Victoria. However, Western Australia commitments declined 7.9% in April, following a 5.1 % drop in March.
Loan commitments in personal finance
In April 2021, the value of new loan agreements for fixed-term personal financing increased by 4.8%. In addition, funding for private investment increased by 25.2%, while lending for road cars increased by 3.6%.
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5th Jun 12:35 AM AEST
Nevada flower is listed as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service
Source: © Fernley | Megapixl.com
Tiehm’s buckwheat flower is proposed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to blow Nevada’s Rhyolite Ridge lithium of ioneer Limited.
- The decision comes as a result of tension between industry and environmentalists amid the ongoing green energy transition.
- Lithium is the key component used for the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries used to power electric vehicles.
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5th Jun 12:34 AM AEST
Tesla plans to invest US$1 billion in Australia’s battery metals
Source: Copyright © 2021 Kalkine Media
Tesla’s chairwoman Robyn Denholm has declared that the world electric vehicle (EV) giant is looking to invest more than US$1.0 million in Australian mines amid surging demand for EVs.
- Australia has the capability to supply almost all types of minerals used for the manufacturing of EVs.
- The global market of lithium-ion batteries used to power EVs is anticipated to reach US$400 million by 2030.
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5th Jun 12:34 AM AEST
United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) all set for a supersonic sustainable future
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United Airlines Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) declared on Thursday that it is buying 15 supersonic planes 'Overture', from Boom Supersonic. The deal underlines an option to purchase 35 more aircraft in future.
United CEO Scott Kirby is aggressively searching for development opportunities for the airline. According to him, Boom's vision for fast, sustainable commercial aviation in the future, when combined with United's robust network, will give travellers access to a cosmic flight experience. In addition, the boom's plan to power the planes with sustainable aviation fuel engines has also attracted United towards it.
Several aircraft builders are trying to come up with new economic supersonic jets. It is to take forward the goal of fewer emissions. According to Boom, Overture is expected to be the first large commercial aircraft with net-zero carbon emissions. The agreement is world's first purchase of net-zero carbon supersonic aircrafts.
Boom is targeting Overture's use for passenger service only by 2029. Boom has not yet built its first commercial supersonic jet but believes the planes will have a speed of 1.7 times the speed of sound. As per United Airlines, Overture could connect New York (Newark) to London in three and a half hours and San Francisco to Tokyo in six hours. These are the key routes it is targeting for service.
Currently, United Airlines has declined any discussions on terms or outflows on the deal.