Mark Rider has been Australian Chief Economist at UBS Warburg since 1997. Prior to working at UBS Warburg, Mark was Head of Economic Activity and Forecasting at the Reserve Bank of Australia. Mark has a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from Macquarie University and a Master of Economics from the London School of Economics. Mark was rated No. 1 in the 2002 BRW East Coles survey of equity brokers and No. 2 in INSTO's 2002 fixed income poll on Australian macroeconomic research.

In the following PowerPoint presentation, Mark highlights some of the distinguishing features of the Australian economy, and the impact for business over the next 18 months. A weak AUD, low interest rates and rising household wealth have all contributed to Australia's impressive position in the world economy. However, in the year to come Mark predicts a slowdown in the economy, with the biggest issues for businesses being a vulnerable household sector and the outcome of the negotiations for a free trade deal between Australia and the United States.