1. Aussie share market at record high

The Aussie share market rose to a new record yesterday as Australia’s economic growth rate surges. The S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 75 points to 7217.8, the highest closing level ever. And it comes as the economy grew by 1.8% in the March quarter. This is an annualised rate of a huge 7.2% and it has been the fastest recovery from recession in 45 years.

2. Is a new JobKeeper on the cards?

The Morrison Government is thinking about supporting Victorian businesses in lockdown but what about a new JobKeeper? The AFR says the Government is likely to give Victorian business some financial assistance but it’s resisting demands for a revised JobKeeper scheme, in the belief it would act as an incentive for more widespread lockdowns. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg indicated there would be some support, now the lockdown in Victoria was entering a second week.

3. Investors back buying property

First homebuyers are exiting the “white hot” housing market as prices skyrocket but investors are making a comeback. AFG, one of the country’s biggest mortgage broker groups, expects property investors will continue returning to the market, with these investors making up a bigger share of its new lending. But this has brought out the regulator —APRA— which has warned lenders not to make it too easy for investors to get loans or they will impose harsher lending rules. The last time APRA did this, house prices fell from 2017-2018.

4. President Xi Jinping wants a more 'loveable' image of China

In a speech to senior Communist Party officials in China earlier this week, President Xi Jinping said that the country must "make friends extensively, unite the majority and continuously expand its circle of friends with those who understand and are friendly to China" and create a "trustworthy, loveable and respectable" image of China.

5. US stocks rise slightly

On Wednesday in the US, the Dow Jones was up 25.07 points or 0.07% to 34,600.38, the S&P 500 moved 6.08 points or 0.14% higher to 4,208.12 and the Nasdaq gained 19.85 points or 0.14% to 13,756.33. 'Meme stock' AMC rose by over 95% and saw US$40 billion in trading volume throughout the session, more than any other stock in over two months according to Bloomberg's Eric Balchunas,