Australia Services Index Inches Higher In October - S&P Global

RTTNews | 18h 55min ago
Australia Services Index Inches Higher In October - S&P Global

(RTTNews) - The service sector in Australia continued to expand in October, and at a slightly faster rate, the latest survey from S&P Global revealed on Wednesday with a PMI score of 52.5.

That's up marginally from 52.4 in September, and it moves further above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.

Higher new business supported the latest growth in services activity at the start of the fourth quarter. Panelists often attributed the latest rise in new sales to successful business development efforts and rising client enquiries. Despite being the lowest in four months, the rate of new business growth was solid.

External demand also improved with a third successive monthly expansion in overseas sales signaled. In response to rising new business and activity, Australian services firms raised their staffing levels again. The rate of jobs growth fell to an eight-month low, however.

read more
Australia Keeps Interest Rate Unchanged

Australia Keeps Interest Rate Unchanged

The Reserve Bank of Australia maintained its key interest rate as the full effects of earlier rate cuts are yet to be felt and policymakers became cautious after data showed evidence of more persistent inflation. The policy board governed by Michele Bullock decided to hold the cash rate at 3.60 percent, as widely expected, on Tuesday.
RTTNews | 1 day ago
Australia Building Approvals Jump 12.0% In September

Australia Building Approvals Jump 12.0% In September

The total number of building permits issued in Australia was up a seasonally adjusted 12.0 percent on month in September, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Monday - coming in at 17,019.
RTTNews | 2 days ago
Australia Household Spending Growth Weakens, Trade Surplus Declines

Australia Household Spending Growth Weakens, Trade Surplus Declines

Australia's household spending grew at a slower pace in August and the trade surplus declined sharply as exports of gold decreased dramatically, official data showed on Thursday. Household spending rose only 0.1 percent from July, when consumption grew 0.4 percent, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said. This was the weakest expansion in four months.
RTTNews | 34 days ago