澳大利亚股息派发季启动 刷卡费禁令同步生效

澳大利亚矿业巨头必和必拓向45万零售股东派发57.12亿澳元股息，每股派息1.38澳元1。电信运营商Telstra随后宣布派发12亿澳元全年股息，其中最终股息每股10.5澳分1。这两家大型企业的派息行动标志着澳大利亚股息支付季正式启动。

与此同时，澳大利亚将从10月1日起禁止信用卡和借记卡刷卡费1，这一政策调整预计将推动企业改变支付方式。在经济形势方面，澳大利亚储备银行行长Michele Bullock警告称失业率可能需要上升至5%以缓解通胀压力1。当前失业率已从4.5%上升至4.6%，达到近五年高位1。上月虽创造近4万个工作机会，但全部为兼职工作1。面对通胀挑战，Westpac经济学家Pat Bustamante表示澳大利亚储备银行可能在周二提高利率1，而HSBC首席经济学家Paul Bloxham预期今年还将面临两次利率上升1。

Australian mining giant BHP is distributing AUD 5.712 billion in dividends to approximately 450,000 retail shareholders, with each share receiving AUD 1.38 in fully franked dividends 1. Telecommunications company Telstra is also returning capital to investors through a final dividend of 10.5 cents per share, bringing its total annual dividend payout to AUD 1.2 billion 1. These distributions mark the beginning of Australia's dividend season.

Starting October 1st, a significant regulatory shift will reshape payment practices across the nation as credit card and debit card surcharges become prohibited 1. This ban is expected to prompt businesses to reassess their payment acceptance strategies and may alter consumer spending patterns in the months ahead.

The dividend announcements come amid mounting economic pressures. The Reserve Bank of Australia's Governor Michele Bullock has cautioned that unemployment may need to rise to 5 percent to effectively combat inflationary pressures 1. The jobless rate has already climbed from 4.5 percent to 4.6 percent, marking its highest level in nearly five years, despite the creation of approximately 40,000 jobs in the previous month—all of which were part-time positions 1. Westpac economist Pat Bustamante indicated the RBA may increase interest rates on Tuesday 1, while HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham anticipates two additional rate rises will occur before year's end 1.