Australia
Australia
Real Gross Domestic Product
Gross domestic product, chain volume measures, quarterly change, %, SA, updates quarterly
Real gross domestic product measures the change in the inflation-adjusted value of all goods and services produced in the economy. It comprises private consumption and investment, inventory buildup, government spending and net exports. Markets watch this indicator to gauge the strength and composition of growth.
Australia
Unemployment Rate
Labour underutilisation rates, all persons, %, SA, updates monthly
The unemployment rate measures the percentage of the labor force currently not working but actively seeking employment, while the underemployment rate measures part- and stood-down full-time employees who are not working as much as they desire. The underutilisation rate is the sum of the unemployment and underutilisation rates. Markets monitor these rates to assess the cyclical health of the economy and the likelihood that wage demands may increase inflationary pressures.
Australia
Consumer Prices
All groups, ex. volatile items, trimmed mean, annual % change, SA, updates monthly
The Consumer Price Index is a measure of the change over time in the average prices paid by consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. As the most widely used measure of inflation, changes in the index are closely followed by policymakers, financial markets, businesses, and consumers. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports an 'All Groups' number that includes all categories in the calculation basket, an ex-"volatile items" measure that excludes fruit, vegetables, automotive fuel, and holiday travel, and a 'Trimmed Mean' number that strips out the most volatile 30% of items.
Australia
Retail Sales
Turnover, monthly change, %, SA, updates monthly
Retail sales measures the monthly online and in-store turnover of retailers in Australia, and is calculated in seasonally-adjusted and current dollar terms. By providing critical insight into consumer spending trends, it is considered a key leading indicator, influencing the direction of monetary policy and the Australian dollar over time.
Australia
Trade Balance
Balance on goods and services, millions AUD, SA, updates monthly
The trade balance measures the difference in value between imported and exported goods and services over the reported period. A positive number indicates that more goods and services were exported than imported - generating a trade surplus - and a negative number indicates a deficit. Trade imbalances may reflect fleeting differences in growth rates or more permanent factors in the composition of growth or the endowment and price of natural resources
Australia
Cash Rate Target
Reserve Bank of Australia target for the overnight rate, %
The cash rate target is an overnight interest rate that the Reserve Bank of Australia targets in order to influence monetary variables in the economy, including consumer prices, exchange rates, and credit growth. The Reserve Bank reviews the target rate on eleven fixed dates each year.
Australia
Money Supply Growth
M3 money supply, annual change, %, SA, updates monthly
M3 money supply is a measure of currency that includes cash, checking deposits, non-cash assets that can easily be converted into cash, and longer-term near-cash assets, including deposits with a maturity of up to two years, deposits redeemable at notice of up to three months and repurchase agreements, money market fund instruments and debt securities up to two years. Markets don’t typically respond directly to changes in M3, but growth in the money supply can influence inflation, interest rates, and exchange rates over longer time horizons.
Australia
Central Bank Assets
Reserve Bank of Australia total assets, billions AUD
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s assets consist primarily of government and corporate bonds, gold and foreign exchange reserves, reverse repurchase agreements, and other instruments. Its liabilities are mostly currency in circulation, commercial bank reserves, and collateralized reverse repurchase agreements. The balance sheet is used to influence interest rates - when officials want to stimulate the economy, it expands, and when they wish to tighten financial conditions, it shrinks.
Australia
Debt Ratios
Credit to general government, non-financial corporate, and household Sectors, % of gross domestic product at market value, updates quarterly
Aggregate debt ratios measure the total borrowing of the general government, non-financial corporate, and household sectors, expressed as a share of gross domestic product. Total debt is followed by investors as a gauge of the vulnerability of an economy to financial shocks. An overly fast pace of debt growth is also frequently associated with a buildup of unproductive investment and excessively high asset valuations.
Australia
Currency Reserves
Official reserve assets, foreign currency reserves (in convertible foreign currencies), billions USD, updates monthly
Currency reserves are external financial holdings that are freely usable for settlement of international transactions, and are readily available to and controlled by monetary authorities for meeting balance of payments financing needs, for intervention in currency markets to affect exchange rates, and for other related purposes. Developed markets with widely used, freely tradeable international currencies typically provide reserve assets rather than engaging in reserve accumulation.
Latest Analysis
Latest Analysis
Currency Markets Steady As Traders Await Fed Communications
20 August, 2025
It’s quiet. Too quiet. Most major currency pairs remain trapped in tight price ranges this morning as volumes fall, but the dollar is firming slightly as traders hedge themselves against an unexpectedly-hawkish...
RBNZ: who let the doves out?
20 August, 2025
After holding steady last time out the Reserve Bank of New Zealand once again spread its ‘dovish’ wings at today’s policy meeting. As expected, the RBNZ announced another 25bp cut which lowered the Official...
Markets hit an air pocket
19 August, 2025
• Market wobbles. A small bout of risk aversion overnight. US equities declined while the USD ticked up. AUD & NZD lost some ground.• RBNZ meeting. RBNZ expected to cut rates again today. Will it flag...
Currency Market Price Action Slows, Canadian Inflation Eases
19 August, 2025
A sense of calm has descended upon global financial markets as the data cadence slows, geopolitical developments settle to a dull roar, and monetary policy expectations stabilise. Benchmark Treasury yields...
Traders Turn Cautious in Run-Up to Jackson Hole
18 August, 2025
Good morning, and welcome back. In the US, ten-year Treasury yields are holding near last week’s levels, equity futures are setting up for a modest advance at the open, and the dollar is trading near a...
Jackson Hole in focus
17 August, 2025
• Consolidation. US equities drifted back a bit on Friday, but still rose over the week. USD a little softer. AUD & NZD ticked up modestly.• Event Radar. RBNZ expected to cut rates again (Weds). Global...
Revived US inflation fears
14 August, 2025
• US PPI. Much stronger than expected US producer prices rekindled inflation fears. US yields rose, as did the USD. AUD back below 1-month average.• AU jobs. Employment report broadly inline with forecasts....
Shifting Fed views
13 August, 2025
• Positive vibes. Global equities pushed higher with markets factoring in a series of US Fed rate cuts. USD softer. AUD & NZD edge a little higher.• AU jobs. Volatile employment report released today....
RBA cuts, US inflation contained
12 August, 2025
• US CPI. Not as bad as feared US inflation supported sentiment overnight. US equities rose, as did US rate cut expectations. USD softer. AUD rebounded.• RBA change. RBA finally delivered another 25bp...
RBA: (finally) a bit more relief
12 August, 2025
After defying expectations by holding interest rates steady in July the RBA (finally) announced some more ‘relief’ for indebted households/businesses at today’s meeting. The RBA lowered the cash rate by...