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3 Apr 2014
Australian retail sales, trade balance fails to set AUD direction
FXStreet (Bali) - Australian retail sales s.a. (MoM) for the month of February came at +0.2% vs 0.3% expected and +1.2% last, while the trade balance for February stood at 1,200M vs 850M expected and 1,433M last. Exports were up 1%, while imports came at 0%. AUD/USD came down to 0.9225 only to rebound towards 0.9240, near the pre-release level.
Feb sales key points
The trend estimate rose 0.7% in February 2014. This follows a rise of 0.7% in January 2014 and a rise of 0.7% in December 2013.
The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 0.2% in February 2014. This follows a rise of 1.2% in January 2014 and a rise of 0.7% in December 2013.
In trend terms, Australian turnover rose 5.9% in February 2014 compared with February 2013.
The following industries rose in trend terms in February 2014: Food retailing (0.7%), Household goods retailing (1.0%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.2%), Other retailing (0.5%) and Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.1%). Department stores (-0.4%) fell in trend terms in February 2014.
The following states and territories rose in trend terms in February 2014: New South Wales (1.0%), Victoria (0.7%), Queensland (0.5%), Western Australia (0.2%), Tasmania (0.9%), South Australia (0.3%) and the Northern Territory (0.4%). The Australian Capital Territory (-0.1%) fell in trend terms in February 2014.
Feb trade key points
BALANCE ON GOODS AND SERVICES
In trend terms, the balance on goods and services was a surplus of $1,229m in February 2014, an increase of $308m (33%) on the surplus in January 2014. In seasonally adjusted terms, the balance on goods and services was a surplus of $1,200m in February 2014, a decrease of $192m (14%) on the surplus in January 2014.
CREDITS (EXPORTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES)
In seasonally adjusted terms, goods and services credits rose $120m to $29,970m. Non-rural goods rose $420m (2%). Net exports of goods under merchanting remained steady at $15m. Rural goods fell $157m (4%) and non-monetary gold fell $133m (10%). Services credits fell $10m.
DEBITS (IMPORTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES)
In seasonally adjusted terms, goods and services debits rose $312m (1%) to $28,770m. Capital goods rose $791m (15%) and non-monetary gold rose $109m (43%). Intermediate and other merchandise goods fell $531m (5%) and consumption goods fell $58m (1%). Services debits rose $3m.
Feb sales key points
The trend estimate rose 0.7% in February 2014. This follows a rise of 0.7% in January 2014 and a rise of 0.7% in December 2013.
The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 0.2% in February 2014. This follows a rise of 1.2% in January 2014 and a rise of 0.7% in December 2013.
In trend terms, Australian turnover rose 5.9% in February 2014 compared with February 2013.
The following industries rose in trend terms in February 2014: Food retailing (0.7%), Household goods retailing (1.0%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.2%), Other retailing (0.5%) and Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.1%). Department stores (-0.4%) fell in trend terms in February 2014.
The following states and territories rose in trend terms in February 2014: New South Wales (1.0%), Victoria (0.7%), Queensland (0.5%), Western Australia (0.2%), Tasmania (0.9%), South Australia (0.3%) and the Northern Territory (0.4%). The Australian Capital Territory (-0.1%) fell in trend terms in February 2014.
Feb trade key points
BALANCE ON GOODS AND SERVICES
In trend terms, the balance on goods and services was a surplus of $1,229m in February 2014, an increase of $308m (33%) on the surplus in January 2014. In seasonally adjusted terms, the balance on goods and services was a surplus of $1,200m in February 2014, a decrease of $192m (14%) on the surplus in January 2014.
CREDITS (EXPORTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES)
In seasonally adjusted terms, goods and services credits rose $120m to $29,970m. Non-rural goods rose $420m (2%). Net exports of goods under merchanting remained steady at $15m. Rural goods fell $157m (4%) and non-monetary gold fell $133m (10%). Services credits fell $10m.
DEBITS (IMPORTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES)
In seasonally adjusted terms, goods and services debits rose $312m (1%) to $28,770m. Capital goods rose $791m (15%) and non-monetary gold rose $109m (43%). Intermediate and other merchandise goods fell $531m (5%) and consumption goods fell $58m (1%). Services debits rose $3m.