Fitch Ratings writes "Australia's GDP.....>

AUSTRALIA: Fitch Ratings writes "Australia's GDP growth will slow to a decade

low of 2% this year despite the cushion provided by de-synchronised movements in

house prices and commodity prices. Offsetting trends in house prices and

commodity prices have historically been a stabilising factor in Australia's

growth rate. This pattern is in evidence again now but its influence appears to

be weakening, possibly reflecting a heavier household debt burden. The

Australian economy has been slowing down quite sharply since the second half of

last year, and high frequency indicators point to this weak momentum having

carried over into the first half of this year. GDP growth has stepped down from

3.1% yoy in 1Q18 to 2.3% yoy in 4Q18, and Fitch Ratings' latest forecast expects

it will bottom out at around 1.6% yoy in 2Q19."