Alan Oster
Alan Oster
continue led
Oil-sensitive sectors continue to weaken, led down by retailing, wholesaling and transport,
against bank continue direction economic either engage higher inflation might monitor moving occasional oil prospect rates reserve risks slowing
The Reserve Bank will continue to monitor higher short-term inflation risks from oil against slowing economic activity. While the bank might engage in occasional bouts of jawboning, we see little prospect of rates moving in either direction for some considerable period.
bit companies conditions confidence latest medium months quite short trading weaker
Confidence has been getting weaker for some months and trading conditions have weakened a bit in the latest survey. They could weaken more in the short term, but when you look at the medium term, companies are still quite optimistic.
against both business continuing equipment falling parts poor report retail strength wholesale
There was continuing strength in mining, equipment manufacturing, nonresidential construction and utilities, ... Against that, residential construction, parts of agriculture and both wholesale and retail report poor and falling business conditions.
continued costs doubt few higher impact oil prices reflecting
On transport, it is one of the few sectors that has continued to deteriorate through the quarter, no doubt reflecting the impact of higher oil prices on costs and profitability.
against cost oil pressures prices remain
Against that, cost pressures and more specifically oil prices remain a concern, as does the availability of suitable labor.
business ongoing sector strength
The deterioration in agribusiness contrasts starkly with the ongoing strength in the non-farm business sector as a whole.