M6AMAIN Micro AUD/USD Futures(MAR5)
- 0.6286
- +0.0016+0.26%
Micro AUD/USD Futures(MAR5) News
Australian Business Conditions Marginally Up in February; Confidence Turns Negative
Australian Consumers Upbeat But Trade War Worries Linger
Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index Rises to Three-Year High in March
Australia's Retail Purchases via Local Cards Up 0.5% in January
Australia Household Spending Rises Again Amid Slower Growth
Australia's Trade Surplus in January Widens, on Exports to US
Interest Rate Cuts Lift Housing Prices Across Australia, ANZ Research Says
Approved Dwellings in Australia Rises 6.3% in January; Dwellings Excluding Houses Hit Highest Level Since December 2022
Australia's Goods Surplus Expands to AU$5.62 Billion in January
The Australian economy is accelerating its recovery, but inflation and trade tensions remain concerning.
Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Wednesday shows that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 0.6% in the fourth quarter, which is double the growth rate of the third quarter. Additionally, the annual growth rate reached 1.3%, exceeding the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) previous expectation of 1.1%. In terms of per capita GDP, there was a slight increase of 0.1% in the fourth quarter, ending seven consecutive quarters of decline. Economists pointed out that this growth is mainly attributed to a slowdown in population growth rather than a significant improvement in productivity. "The low point of the economic cycle in Australia has passed, and some signs of recovery have emerged." -- Deloitte Economics Consulting
Australian Economy Grows More Than Expected in Q4 2024 as Household Spending Rebounds
Australia's Q4 2024 GDP Up 0.6% in Seasonally Adjusted Terms, Up 1.6% in Nominal Terms
Australian Services Sector Activity Growth Slows in February
RBA Deputy Governor Defends February Rate Cut, Reiterates Caution Against Further Easing
Australia's Industrial Activity Slump Continues in February
RBA Deputy Gov. Hauser Says Inflation War Not Over; Trade Uncertainty Rising
Australia on Pace for 0.6% GDP Growth in Q4 2024 With Upside Risk, ANZ Research Says
Reserve Bank of Australia's February Minutes Reinforce Projected One Last Rate Cut in 2025, Says ANZ Research
The Reserve Bank of Australia made its first interest rate cut without committing to further easing, putting pressure on the Australian Dollar as the US Dollar strengthens.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has released cautious signals, and the market expects there is still room for interest rate cuts in the future. The minutes of the RBA's February meeting indicate that despite the slowing economic growth, the job market in Australia remains strong, and wage pressures have not been completely alleviated, thus there is still uncertainty regarding the future policy path. The meeting discussed the possibility of maintaining interest rates or further lowering them, ultimately concluding that the current economic situation allows for a moderate easing of policy, but careful assessment of the latest changes in inflation and employment data is still necessary. "Members unanimously agreed that this rate cut does not imply that further rate reductions will occur in upcoming meetings."—Minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia meeting. Market expectations suggest that the Reserve Bank of Australia may cut rates at least this year.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has loosened its monetary policy for the first time in four years, holding on to the "data steering wheel" after cutting interest rates.
After lowering interest rates for the first time in four years, the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy committee takes a cautious approach to future policy easing, concerned that rapid rate cuts could jeopardize the return of inflation to the target midpoint of 2.5%.