Risk Sentiment Falls and AUD Comes Under Pressure
September 14, 2011 11:27 am by Russell GlaserThe Australian dollar has been one of the worst performing currencies this week as reduced risk sentiment weighs on the currency. The fact that AUD market positioning continues to increase stands out in this “risk off” trading environment.
NAB Reports Business Confidence Slump in Australia
September 13, 2011 2:15 pm by Greg HoldenThe National Australia Bank Limited (NAB) published its monthly report on business confidence this morning, with news echoing what many traders were already assuming. Confidence in the Australian economy has ebbed over the past 30 days, with many indicators supporting ...
Australia’s Trade Surplus Diminishing? Look Again
September 12, 2011 3:06 pm by Greg HoldenThe report out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics this morning gave traders the impression of a country facing significant shortfalls in its export capabilities. Australia has been operating on a trade surplus consistently since mid-2010, with the exception of ...
Japanese Industry Lagging Behind
September 12, 2011 3:01 pm by Greg HoldenAn index which measures the change in industry activity in Japan revealed this morning that the island nation may be experiencing a tough economic downturn. The Tertiary Industry Activity Index, released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), ...
Australian Employment Figures Gouge AUD
September 8, 2011 3:17 pm by Greg HoldenThe value of the Australian dollar (AUD) took a hit in today’s early trading following reports from the Australian Bureau of Statistics that employment saw sharp contraction in August. The Employment Change figure was forecast to see an expansion of ...
Australia Leaves Rates at 4.75%, Citing Weakened Global Outlook
September 6, 2011 2:31 pm by Greg HoldenThe Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left its interest rate benchmark unchanged at 4.75% this morning, citing concerns of weakened international growth. Australia has left rates unchanged since last November and many economists had been hinting that a “wait-and-see” approach ...
Capital Expenditures in Japan on the Decline
September 2, 2011 2:31 pm by Greg HoldenJapanese businesses appear to have downsized their level of investment. A report out this morning from the Japanese Ministry of Finance found that capital expenditures by private businesses declined 7.8% in the second quarter.
Australian Spending Data Surprises Investors
September 1, 2011 4:08 pm by Greg HoldenTwo reports this morning surprised investors with seemingly out of place optimism in the private expenditures sector of the Australian economy. At 2:30 GMT the Australian Bureau of Statistics issued two indicators that demonstrated a solid uptick in retail sales ...
Australian New Home Sales Down 8%
August 29, 2011 2:29 pm by Greg HoldenA monthly report on new home sales in Australia revealed a continuation of July’s dismal housing figures from the Outback economy. The Housing Industry Association (HIA) published this month’s reading with no expectations priced in, as is typical, and underscored ...
New Zealand’s Retail Sales Bullish in August
August 25, 2011 1:44 pm by Greg HoldenThe agency Statistics New Zealand published this morning a series of reports on retail sales and PPI. All figures seem to point to moderate bullishness and heavy momentum heading into the early part of the third quarter.
