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Tue, February 11, 2025
Mon, February 10, 2025

Australia business confidence improves even as conditions slacken, survey says


Published on 2025-02-10 20:00:50 - MSN
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  • A measure of Australian business activity eased in January as sales and profits softened, a survey showed on Tuesday, though confidence got a boost amid hopes for a near-term reduction in borrowing costs.

The article from MSN discusses a recent survey by National Australia Bank (NAB) which indicates that while business confidence in Australia has improved, actual business conditions have slightly deteriorated. The survey highlights a rise in business confidence from -6 to -3, suggesting a slight optimism among businesses. However, business conditions, which include trading, profitability, and employment, have seen a decline, dropping from 13 to 9. Despite this, the labor market remains tight with capacity utilization still high at 83.6%. The report also notes that cost pressures are easing, with labor costs and purchase costs decreasing, although retail prices remain elevated. This mixed economic signal comes at a time when the Reserve Bank of Australia is considering its next moves on interest rates, with inflation still above the target range, prompting discussions on potential rate adjustments.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/economy/australia-business-confidence-improves-even-as-conditions-slacken-survey-says/ar-AA1yMB4u ]