Latest Roy Morgan employment series data shows 1.93 million Australians unemployed in February (up 250,000 on January) but under-employment was down 300,000 to 1.14 million.

New data from Roy Morgan shows over 1 million Australians are customers of either Bank of Queensland or ME Bank. Bank of Queensland announced its intention to purchase 100% of ME Bank for $1.3 billion last week.

New research shows over 7.8 million Australians aged 14+ (37%) used public transport during the December quarter 2020. This is up over 950,000 from the September quarter 2020 when just under 6.9 million (33%) were using public transport – a low reached during Melbourne’s long second lockdown and significant restrictions on people’s movement in Sydney.

In February 2021 Roy Morgan Business Confidence increased 0.3pts (+0.2%) to 120.8. Business Confidence has now averaged 121.5 over the last three months, its highest three-month average since January – March 2014 (123.1). Business Confidence is now 7.3pts above the long-term average of 113.5.

ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence increased by 1.1pts to 110.3 on February 27/28, 2021. Consumer Confidence is now almost level with the 2021 weekly average of 110.2 and is now a significant 5.5pts higher than the same week a year ago, February 29/ March 1, 2020 (104.8).

New Zealand Consumer Confidence was down slightly by 0.7pts to 113.1 in February, consolidating a bit short of its historical average of 120.

The Labour/Greens government support is unchanged at 58.5% in February. However, support for the Labour Party is down by 2% points to 45% in February while support for the Greens increased 2% points to 13.5%.

A new way of looking at employment – that recognises not everyone is ‘in the workforce’ (employed or looking for work) reveals employment is increasingly more likely with each successive age group peaking at 81% of those aged 35-49 before declining after that as Australians enter retirement.

New research from Roy Morgan shows small business owner banking satisfaction for the four major banks was at 71.2% in 12 months to January 2021, an increase of 3.4% points from a year ago.

New data from Roy Morgan shows satisfaction with superannuation funds now at a record high 67.6%. People belonging to Public Sector Superannuation Funds, set up for employees of federal and state governments and their related entities, are Australia’s most satisfied superannuation fund members. They are followed by those with Self Managed Super Funds, then Industry Funds and finally Retail funds, with members of the Major Retail funds operated by the Big 4 banks the least satisfied of all.

As the two-speed recovery gains momentum, the Roy Morgan Research Institute has conducted a national survey of Australia’s high-spending premium consumers to identify their favourite brands – and the results are in.