Alan Oster
Alan Oster
direction either engage main message might monetary moving occasional policy prospect
While the RBA might engage in occasional bouts of jawboning, we see little prospect of the RBA moving in either direction for some considerable period. That, indeed, was the main message out of yesterday's monetary policy statement.
australian benefit capacity dollar export growth increased lower offset partly partner sustained trading volumes
On the other hand, export volumes benefit from increased capacity and a lower Australian dollar partly offset by some moderation, but sustained trading partner growth during 2006-2007.
again businesses capital cash companies continue employment firmly future hold official outcomes rate report spending weaker
Businesses continue to look at the future with some skepticism. Companies again report weaker employment outcomes in December, while capital spending also weakened somewhat. The official cash rate is even more firmly on hold for the foreseeable future.
activity business concerns continued fall future potential sharp
Business concerns about the potential for a sharp fall in future activity have continued to ease.
against appears bank business concerned demand domestic further higher inflation labor mild prospect reality reserve slowing weakness
Business appears increasingly concerned that further weakness is in prospect. The Reserve Bank is very much on hold, weighing the higher inflation reality against the prospect of further slowing in domestic demand and a mild deterioration in the labor market.
bring cash increased official percent rate
Overall, we still see the official cash rate being increased by around 1.25 percent in total, bring the rate back to around 5.5 percent by mid/early 2003.
activity bank both continuing demand domestic economic inflation next outlook pace reserve watching
The pace of economic activity is continuing to moderate. The Reserve Bank is very much on hold, watching both the inflation outlook and domestic demand over the remainder of 2005 and well into next year.
australian conditions continues december driven economy improved performing point reasonably reinforce report results trading
While the Australian economy continues to report sub-trend growth, the December results reinforce the point that it is still performing reasonably well. Conditions improved in December, driven by stronger-than-expected trading and profitability.
bit economy firmly interest rates says slowing weakness
This says to me that interest rates are firmly on hold. This economy is slowing down and there may be a bit more weakness to come.
bank boom both conditions continuing domestic inflation mining outlook reserve strong watching
The story is one of continuing boom conditions in mining and very strong nonresidential construction activity. The Reserve Bank is still very much on hold, watching both the inflation outlook and domestic demand.
business confidence despite increase reasonable reluctant results suggest
Despite improvements in confidence and still reasonable sales, the results suggest that business is still reluctant to increase hiring.
bank cause inflation outlook reserve short term
The near-term inflation outlook will cause the Reserve Bank some short term concern,
economic growth points quarter survey
In summary, the survey points to a significant pick-up in economic growth in the first quarter of 2006.
capacity case current economy environment headed high labor levels might needs operating rate stressed tight
It needs to be stressed that the case (for a rate hike) is not about current levels of wage/price pressures, but where they might be headed in an environment of an economy operating at high levels of capacity and in a very tight labor market.