The details of the latest NAB business....>

AUSTRALIA: The details of the latest NAB business survey note that "business

conditions fell sharply in December, and while caution should be taken when

interpreting data around the Christmas/New Year period, this outcome continues

the downward trend in conditions over the second half of 2018. At face value,

the fall over the past 6 months suggests a significant slowing in the momentum

of activity in the business sector - especially from the highs seen earlier in

the year. The deterioration in conditions in the month was driven by declines

across trading, profitability and employment and was relatively broad-based

across states and industries. Conditions remain particularly weak in the retail

industry which reports further ongoing deterioration. Capacity utilisation

remains above average, though forward orders are below average (and falling) and

alongside below average confidence suggests conditions are unlikely to rebound.

Monitoring the future conditions and orders track will be critical regarding our

outlook for the economy in 2019."