On Friday, from Australia, Retail Sales figures were released. The trend estimate rose 0.3% in January 2016. This follows a rise of 0.3% in December 2015 and a rise of 0.3% in November 2015. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 0.3% in January 2016. Analysts were forecasting 0.4% rise. This follows a relatively unchanged December 2015 (0.0%) and a rise of 0.4% in November 2015. In trend terms, Australian turnover rose 4.0% in January 2016 compared with January 2015.
Focus of the US session was on
Trade Balance and
NFP figures. The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce, announced today that
the goods and services deficit was $45.7 billion in January, up $1.0 billion from $44.7 billion in December, revised. Deficit of $43.8 billion was anticipated. January exports were $176.5 billion, $3.8 billion less than December exports. January imports were $222.1 billion, $2.8 billion less than December imports.
Employers added more workers in February than projected but wages unexpectedly declined, dashing hopes that reduced slack in the labor market was starting to benefit all Americans. The 242,000 gain followed a 172,000 rise in January that was larger than previously estimated, a Labor Department report showed Friday. The jobless rate held at 4.9% as people entered the labor force and found work. Average hourly earnings dropped, the first monthly decline in more than a year.
There will be no data releases both from Australia and USA on Monday so we can expect a bit steadier session, but we would pay attention to developments in China.
