Weekly Updates

In Australia, employment saw an unexpected decline in July, while the unemployment rate picked up. Wages growth remained moderate in Q2. Westpac consumer sentiment improved in August, but remained weak. The S&P Global flash PMIs pointed to slower, albeit still decent expansion in August.

In Australia, the RBA kept the cash rate target unchanged but maintained a hawkish stance. NAB business conditions improved but remained below their long-run average, while business confidence was still negative in July. New home loans fell in Q2, driven in particular by a plunge in investor loans.

In Australia, household spending growth exceeded expectations in June. The Melbourne Institute inflation gauge pointed to consumer price growth remaining above the RBA’s goal in July. The goods trade balance unexpectedly rose back into surplus in June.

In Australia, the softer-than-expected June CPI report saw traders wind back their pricing for an RBA cash rate hike, despite the RBA Governor and Assistant Governor not ruling out further monetary policy tightening. 

In Australia, employment saw the strongest rise in over a year, while the unemployment rate held steady at a moderate level in June. The S&P Global flash PMI for July saw a pick-up in business activity growth, while the Westpac leading index pointed to subpar growth ahead.

In Australia, NAB business conditions remained below average in June, while business confidence improved, but remained negative. Westpac consumer sentiment pointed to somewhat smaller, yet persisting pessimism in July. Consumer inflation expectations dropped, though this preceded the recent pick-up in oil prices.