Friday's session brought Australian Retail Sales figures. The trend estimate rose 0.4% in June 2017. This follows a rise of 0.4% in May 2017 and a rise of 0.4% in April 2017. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 0.3% in June 2017. This follows a rise of 0.6% in May 2017 and a rise of 1.0% in April 2017. In trend terms, Australian turnover rose 3.6% in June 2017 compared with June 2016. The following industries rose in trend terms this June 2017: Household goods (0.9%), Food retailing (0.2%), Other retailing (0.5%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.4%), Clothing footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.2%), and Department stores (0.3%).
US session was marked by NFP report. Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 209,000 in July, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 4.3 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Employment increased in food services and drinking places, professional and business services, and health care. Both the unemployment rate, at 4.3 percent, and the number of unemployed persons, at 7.0 million, changed little in July. After declining earlier in the year, the unemployment rate has shown little movement in recent months.
There will be no major data releases both from Australia and USA on Monday so we can expect a bit steadier session.
