FEAR & GREED | Business News Q+A: The Week Ahead | 9 Mar 2026
Mar 8, 2026
Stephen Kukoulos, economist known as The Kook, provides sharp, media-savvy economic analysis. He breaks down a surprisingly strong GDP print and why the central bank might welcome the growth. He highlights a small productivity uptick, the role of business investment, per capita GDP gains and risks from global shocks. Short, clear takes on why households still feel the squeeze.
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GDP Surprise Signals Real Recovery
- The December-quarter GDP result surprised on the upside with 2.6% year‑on‑year growth, the strongest in three years excluding pandemic volatility.
- Stephen Kukoulos argues this signals the economy has recovered and the RBA should welcome growth rather than automatically call for rate hikes.
Productivity Uptick Could Raise The Economy's Speed Limit
- Productivity showed an uptick of about 1% through the year, which, if sustained, would materially raise the economy's speed limit.
- Kukoulos links the improvement to stronger business investment in capital equipment, warehouses and transport that raise output per hour.
Per Capita GDP Rising And Labour Costs Easing
- Per capita GDP has risen for three consecutive quarters, reversing the long trend where population growth hid falling living standards.
- Real unit labour costs fell 0.1%, easing pressure on inflation by reducing business labour cost growth.