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Free AccessREPEAT: MNI ANALYSIS: Australia Survey Retail Conditions Soft
Repeats Story Initially Transmitted at 00:37 GMT Oct 10/20:37 EST Oct 9
--Retail Sector Remains Main Area of Concern; Construction Conditions Strong
By Sophia Rodrigues
SYDNEY (MNI) - Australian business conditions remained elevated and
confidence improved slightly in September, the National Australia Bank's latest
business survey showed, but the retail sector remains a headwind for the economy
and for the Reserve Bank's projection for household spending.
The September survey, published Tuesday, showed business confidence
improved from a sharp decline in August while conditions were unchanged at +14
and close to multi-year highs. Overall conditions were supported by the
construction industry, a result of high infrastructure spending. But retail
remains the key exception, with trend conditions at -5 points.
Within the retail sector, forward orders, employment conditions, capital
expenditure intentions were all in negative territory while labor costs remained
soft. The only positive was in retail prices in quarterly terms but that still
pointed to soft consumer price inflation.
The data raises concerns about the outlook for household consumption which
is key to the RBA's growth and inflation outlook for the economy. It points to
the cash rate remaining on hold for longer, with a small possibility of a cut if
the outlook worsens and is not offset by other drivers of growth and inflation.
Other aspects of the business survey were slightly positive, with
employment conditions still pointing to a solid growth in jobs despite some
pullback in September. Labor costs rose and retail prices moved into positive
territory.
Forward orders eased a little but still suggested solid non-mining demand,
with forward orders the highest in construction in trend terms.
NAB chief economist Alan Oster Business conditions suggests watching the
trend in business confidence. "Business conditions at these levels tell us that
the business sector in Australia is doing very well. We have certainly seen that
reflected to some degree in areas like corporate profits and jobs growth, but
other aspects of the economy - such as business investment - have been somewhat
disappointing in comparison. In that context, it will be important to keep an
eye on the recent softer trend in business confidence".
Table from the September survey:
September August
-----------------------------------------------------------
Business Confidence +7 +5
Business Conditions +14 +14
Employment +7 +10
Profitability +17 +15
Trading +19 +18
Exports -1 0
Forward Orders +3 +4
Stocks +5 0
Capital Expenditure +9 +8
Retail Prices (quarterly rate %) +0.3 -0.1
Labor costs (quarterly rate %) +1.0 +1.2
Final products prices (quarterly rate %) +0.4 +0.4
Capacity Utilization (%9 81.6 81.6
--MNI Sydney Bureau; tel: +61 2-9716-5467; email: sophia.rodrigues@marketnews.com
[TOPICS: MTABLE]
To read the full story
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Why MNI
MNI is the leading provider
of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.