The trend estimate rose 0.3% in March 2019. This follows a rise of 0.3% in February 2019 and a rise of 0.2% in January 2019. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 0.3% in March 2019. This follows a rise of 0.9% in February 2019 and a rise of 0.1% in January 2019. In trend terms, Australian turnover rose 3.0% in March 2019 compared with March 2018. The following industries rose in trend terms in March 2019: Food retailing (0.4%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.4%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.3%), and Other retailing (0.1%). Household goods retailing (-0.1%), and Department ... (full story)

A better-than-expected Aussie consumer spending and trade data released soon before press time is struggling to move the needle on the AUD/USD pair. The consumer spending, as represented by retail sales, rose at a seasonally adjusted rate of 0.3% month-on-month in March, beating the expected 0.2% rise. The actual figure, however, marks a significant slowdown in spending from the upwardly revised 0.9% growth registered in February. Further, Australia's trade surplus widened to A$ 4,949 million in March, topping the forecast of A$ 4,300 million. The surplus, however, narrowed from the upwardly revised preceding month's ... (full story)