1. Treasurer puts jobs growth front and centre of next month's budget

In an interview with The Australian, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg indicated that he plans to prioritise job creation in May's budget. "We’re enabling and encouraging the private sector to keep hiring, to innovate, to grow and to help lead the recovery from here," Frydenberg said. Australia's unemployment rate fell from 5.8% in February to 5.6% in March and 70,700 new jobs were created according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released yesterday.

2. Scott Morrison sets goal for international travel

Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed his first goal in reopening international borders at a community vaccine forum in Perth. "The first goal I think is to enable Australians who are vaccinated to be able to move and travel, particularly for important purposes. And secondly, for Australian residents and citizens from overseas who have been properly vaccinated, they will be able to come back in that way," Morrison said. The PM also warned that a rise in cases of up to 1,000 per week could occur once borders are reopened.

3. HomeBuilder helps deliver $103 billion economic boost

There have been more than 121,000 HomeBuilder grant applications according to a report by The Australian, over four times Treasury's original forecast and delivering $103 billion in broader economic activity. The government is reportedly considering extending the scheme.

4. The single American deli with a US$100 million market cap

Hedge fund manager David Einhorn from Greenlight Capital highlighted the unusual case of Hometown International (ticker code HWIN), the owner of a single deli in the US state of New Jersey, which reached a market capitalisation of US$113 million ($146 million) with sales of less than US$14,000 ($18,000) in 2020. "The largest shareholder is also the CEO/CFO/Treasurer and a Director, who also happens to be the wrestling coach of the high school next door to the deli. The pastrami must be amazing," Einhorn said.

5. US indexes all trading higher

The Dow Jones broke through the 34,000 level on Thursday, closing at a record-high of 34,035.99 after gaining 305.10 points or 0.90% during the session. The S&P 500 also closed at a new high of 4,170.42 after a rise of 45.76 points or 1.11%. The Nasdaq rose by 180.92 points or 1.31% to 14,038.76, less than 60 points away from its record high set in February.