Australia
Real Gross Domestic Product
Gross domestic product, chain volume measures, % change, SA
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
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
Financial Aggregates
Broad money supply and total credit , annual change, %, SA, updates monthly
Illustrates year-on-year growth rates for broad money and total credit, based on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Financial Aggregates data. Broad money reflects the aggregate stock of money held by the private sector (currency and deposits, including term and other liquid liabilities) and is a key indicator of liquidity in the economy. Total credit captures the annual growth in lending by financial institutions to households and businesses. Plotting both series together highlights how monetary liquidity and credit extension have evolved over time, offering insight into financial conditions and potential pressures on demand and inflation.
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
Market wobbles return
18 March, 2026
• Negative vibes. Another jump in energy prices & upward repricing in interest rates dampened risk sentiment. USD firmer. AUD & NZD underperform.• Macro news. Asia exposed to higher energy costs....
Fed holds rates, downplays oil price-driven shift in risk calculus
18 March, 2026
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged this afternoon and did little to acknowledge an Iran war-driven shift in the balance of risks facing the US economy in the accompanying statement, suggesting...
Bank of Canada holds, signals willingness to look through energy price shock
18 March, 2026
As markets had overwhelmingly anticipated, the Bank of Canada left its policy settings on hold this morning, and expressed concern over persistent weakness in the Canadian economy, suggesting that policymakers...
Oil prices slip slightly, bolstering market confidence
18 March, 2026
Financial markets are turning cautiously optimistic this morning as oil prices stabilise and investors position for a raft of central bank decisions. Several tankers registered to non-aligned countries...
RBA's inflation worry
17 March, 2026
• Improved mood. Despite ongoing Middle East issues & high oil prices risk sentiment has improved. Softer USD & a RBA hike supports the AUD.• RBA hikes. Another 25bp rate rise delivered yesterday....
RBA: Inflation battle continues
17 March, 2026
After being ‘strategically timid’ during its last tightening cycle the RBA looks to be taking fewer chances when it comes to its renewed battle against inflation with another 25bp rate hike announced today....
Dollar firms as Iranian attacks intensify
17 March, 2026
Good morning. The dollar is recovering from yesterday’s losses as crude prices ricochet higher following a series of Iranian strikes on energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf and near the Strait...
Markets reverse higher as Strait of Hormuz blockage shows signs of easing
16 March, 2026
There was lots of drama over the weekend. Sinners. One Battle After Another. A Shakespearean tragedy. The Secret Agent. Mr Nobody Against Putin. And that was just the Middle East — the Oscars were on too.
Markets...
Middle East & RBA in focus this week
15 March, 2026
• Market nerves. Higher oil prices & Middle East developments dampened risk sentiment on Friday. USD firmer. NZD & AUD underperform.• Macro events. Central banks in the spotlight this week. High...
Dollar powers higher as conflict stretches on
13 March, 2026
The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure landed in line with expectations in January, but left markets mostly unmoved, given that it predated the Iran conflict and was stale on arrival....