Talking their own book, like real estate, banks and government...

Talking their own book, like real estate, banks and government officials.

What really counts is building approvals, and actual sales of buildings, which are hard numbers. Building approvals indicate someone has spent money on site and plans, not that they actually will start works and ordering materials.

Shipmments of building materials are reported in quarterly sales numbers of public companies, giving an idea of work in progress.

No one knows future but AFR helps people bide their time while the future unfolds around them, while perhaps staving off the disappearance of Nine Media for a few more months. Fairfax name just a memory soon. Won't be missed by me.