March has arrived, and with that the weather starts to cool; this brings a fresh chapter and a chance to set your pace for the months ahead.
February delivered mixed signals for the Australian economy.
Labour market conditions were steady. The unemployment rate held at 4.1%, with 18,000 more people employed in January, driven by a rise in full-time jobs and partly offset by a fall in part-time roles.
Wage growth continued to edge higher, up 0.8% in the December quarter and 3.4% over the year, while household spending softened.
Inflation was slightly higher than expected, with CPI remaining at 3.8%, and trimmed inflation (the RBA’s measure of underlying inflation) increasing to 3.4%, up from 3.3%.
Reporting season added its usual volatility to the share market and the ASX hit several record highs towards the end of the month.
The Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index fell further by 2.6% to 90.5 in February, impacted by February’s cash rate increase.
The Australian dollar strengthened, largely due to global risk sentiment, hitting a three-year high of USD 0.71 by month’s end.
The purpose of this website is to provide general information only and the contents of this website do not purport to provide personal financial advice. Financial Horizons (Cairns) Pty Ltd strongly recommends that investors consult a financial adviser prior to making any investment decision. The contents of this website does not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any person and should not be used as the basis for making any financial or other decisions. The information is selective and may not be complete or accurate for your particular purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to invest in any particular product, investment or security. The information provided on this website is given in good faith and is believed to be accurate at the time of compilation.