Australia: Dec trade numbers disappoint, decline in exports weigh

FXStreet (Bali) - Australian December trade balance came much worse-than-expected at-3535m vs -2450m expected and -2906m last, with exports at -5% vs 1% last, while imports stood at -1%vs -1% last.

DECEMBER KEY POINTS

BALANCE ON GOODS AND SERVICES: In trend terms, the balance on goods and services was a deficit of $3,313m in December 2015, an increase of $168m (5%) on the deficit in November 2015. In seasonally adjusted terms, the balance on goods and services was a deficit of $3,535m in December 2015, an increase of $808m (30%) on the deficit in November 2015.

CREDITS (EXPORTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES): In seasonally adjusted terms, goods and services credits fell $1,243m (5%) to $25,247m. Non-rural goods fell $1,078m (7%) and rural goods fell $392m (9%). Non-monetary gold rose $121m (10%). Net exports of goods under merchanting remained steady at $14m. Services credits rose $108m (2%).

DEBITS (IMPORTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES): In seasonally adjusted terms, goods and services debits fell $434m (1%) to $28,782m. Intermediate and other merchandise goods fell $399m (4%), capital goods fell $176m (3%) and consumption goods fell $57m (1%). Non-monetary gold rose $108m (39%). Services debits rose $89m (1%).

2015 SITUATION: In original terms, the balance on goods and services for 2015 was deficit of $33.5b, a rise of $23.6b (239%) on the deficit of $9.9b recorded in 2014, resulting from a $13.8b (4%) increase in goods and services debits and a $9.8b (3%) decrease in goods and services credits.