Australia trade surplus shrinks in March, misses expectations


Australia trade balance for March came in at AUD 3107bn vs AUD 3250bn expected and AUD 3574bn prior, representing a big miss on expectations. Imports were up 5% on the month while exports increased 2%.

The Australian Dollar remains little changed on the data release. 

BALANCE ON GOODS AND SERVICES:

In trend terms, the balance on goods and services was a surplus of $3,804m in March 2017, an increase of $265m (7%) on the surplus in February 2017.

In seasonally adjusted terms, the balance on goods and services was a surplus of $3,107m in March 2017, a decrease of $550m (15%) on the surplus in February 2017.

CREDITS (EXPORTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES) 

In seasonally adjusted terms, goods and services credits rose $776m (2%) to $33,343m. Non-monetary gold rose $443m (32%), rural goods rose $271m (7%) and non-rural goods rose $19m. Net exports of goods under merchanting fell $1m (2%). Services credits rose $45m (1%).

DEBITS (IMPORTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES): 

In seasonally adjusted terms, goods and services debits rose $1,325m (5%) to $30,235m. Consumption goods rose $751m (10%), intermediate and other merchandise goods rose $715m (8%) and non-monetary gold rose $68m (14%). Capital goods fell $214m (4%). Services debits rose $6m.

Share: Feed news

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD holds above 1.0650 after US data

EUR/USD holds above 1.0650 after US data

EUR/USD retreats from session highs but manages to hold above 1.0650 in the early American session. Upbeat macroeconomic data releases from the US helps the US Dollar find a foothold and limits the pair's upside.

EUR/USD News

GBP/USD retreats toward 1.2450 on modest USD rebound

GBP/USD retreats toward 1.2450 on modest USD rebound

GBP/USD edges lower in the second half of the day and trades at around 1.2450. Better-than-expected Jobless Claims and Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index data from the US provides a support to the USD and forces the pair to stay on the back foot.

GBP/USD News

Gold clings to strong daily gains above $2,380

Gold clings to strong daily gains above $2,380

Gold trades in positive territory above $2,380 on Thursday. Although the benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield holds steady following upbeat US data, XAU/USD continues to stretch higher on growing fears over a deepening conflict in the Middle East.

Gold News

Ripple faces significant correction as former SEC litigator says lawsuit could make it to Supreme Court

Ripple faces significant correction as former SEC litigator says lawsuit could make it to Supreme Court

Ripple (XRP) price hovers below the key $0.50 level on Thursday after failing at another attempt to break and close above the resistance for the fourth day in a row. 

Read more

Have we seen the extent of the Fed rate repricing?

Have we seen the extent of the Fed rate repricing?

Markets have been mostly consolidating recent moves into Thursday. We’ve seen some profit taking on Dollar longs and renewed demand for US equities into the dip. Whether or not this holds up is a completely different story.

Read more

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures