AUSTRALIA DATA: Q4 Net Export Contribution Higher Than Expected
Mar-04 02:19
The Q4 current account deficit narrowed to $12.5bn from $13.9bn, the seventh straight negative. The ABS notes 2024 saw the largest current account deficit since 2016.The net export contribution to GDP, released Wednesday, was higher than expected at 0.2pp, which may see some forecasts revised higher, but public demand contributed only 0.2pp, significantly below Q3’s 0.7pp.
- The improvement in the current account was driven by an increase in the goods & services surplus, while the primary income deficit widened $2.3bn. Both goods and services contributed to the $3.7bn rise in the trade surplus.
- Q4 goods exports rose 2.9% q/q, driven by rural goods and non-monetary gold, but they are still down 6% y/y after -7.2% y/y in Q3. Services shipments rose 4.6% q/q and 6.7% y/y boosted by more tourists from the US encouraged by the weaker AUDUSD.
- Merchandise imports rose 1.5% q/q, after falling two consecutive quarters, and are up 4.8% y/y. The increase was driven by consumer goods with capex down on the quarter consistent with weak private investment data. Consumption imports rose 9.5% y/y, the highest rate in two years. Services imports fell 0.7% q/q, as Australians travelled to less expensive destinations, but were still up 6.6% y/y.
- The widening of the primary deficit was due to an increase in interest outflows as foreigners increased their holdings of Australian debt securities, as well as higher dividends paid.
Australia balance of payments A$bn
Source: MNI - Market News/ABS
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FED: Powell To Deliver Semi-Annual Testimony In Mid-Feb
Jan-31 21:48
The House Financial Services Committee's website confirms that Fed Chair Powell will deliver his semi-annual Monetary Policy Report on Wednesday Feb 12 at 1000ET.
- The Semi-annual testimony will be closely eyed as Powell's first scheduled appearance since the January FOMC - and the House testimony on the 12th is the same day as the release of January CPI (and the week after nonfarm payrolls and benchmark revisions) so will be of particular interest.
US OUTLOOK/OPINION: Nonfarm Payrolls, Revisions Highlight Next Week In US Macro
Jan-31 21:39
Friday’s nonfarm payrolls for January highlights the US macro week. It's a highly anticipated report that could alter recent trends considering it will include annual benchmark revisions along with seasonal factors and an updated birth-death model.
- The preliminary estimate for the benchmark revision pointed to the level of payrolls being some 818k lower than currently reported for back in March 2024. There’s a broad expectation from what we can gather that the hit seen next week won’t be as large but it could still be significant. We also watch the seasonal revisions closely, as whilst they should have a zero-sum impact over the calendar year, we’ve noted some particularly favorable seasonal factors in recent months that have biased seasonally adjusted jobs growth higher.
- With these considerations in mind, the early days of the Bloomberg consensus points to nonfarm payrolls growth of 150k after a solid three-month average of 170k. Note that the unemployment rate from the separate household survey won’t be affected by these revisions, having already seen its own seasonal factor revisions last month. A population control will complicate month-on-month changes in the levels of employment and unemployment but shouldn’t be significant for the rate, which is seen unchanged at 4.1% having surprised lower with 4.09% in December. The recent high is technically 4.23% in November having first popped to 4.22% back in July.
- Two other special mentions for the week are: 1) rare remarks from FOMC Vice Chair Jefferson speaking on the economic outlook and monetary policy late on Tuesday with both text and Q&A, having last spoke on Oct 9. 2) ISM services on Wednesday after its priced paid series jumped 5.9pts to 64.4 in December for the highest since Feb 2023.
- Away from macro but still material, the coming week brings the US Treasury's quarterly refunding process - our preview is here.
MACRO ANALYSIS: MNI US Macro Weekly: Uncertainty Vindicates Fed’s Patience
Jan-31 21:37
In a largely positive week for economic activity data, including in core durable goods and MNI Chicago PMI, the Q4 GDP accounts stood out by showing a very strong end to 2024 for the consumer.
- As we go to press, though, President Trump has confirmed that tariffs would be imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China beginning this weekend – while also threatening further action against the likes of the European Union and across various import categories.
- The combination of solid growth and policy uncertainty, along with stubborn “supercore” PCE inflation for December, seemingly vindicated the Federal Reserve’s “hawkish hold” at its January meeting.
- A March rate cut is still a possibility but the bar for such an outcome has been set high.
- That gets us to the first key release between now and then: Friday’s nonfarm payrolls for January is the highlight of the US macro week, and could alter recent trends considering it will include annual benchmark revisions along with seasonal factors and an updated birth-death model.
- Other highlights in the upcoming week include ISM Services and the Treasury’s quarterly Refunding announcement (Wednesday), while FOMC Vice Chair Jefferson delivers commentary on the economic outlook and monetary policy Tuesday.
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