Comments on Australia's trade balance data for August

The data is here from earlier, exports lower than expected while imports were higher than expected:

• Australian trade balance data for August, exports fall more than expected

Comments (in brief) via Westpac:

Imports were impacted by supply disruptions earlier in the year and weaker demand in Australia due to the initial lock-down.

• July saw a catch-up ... this has extended through to August

On the export side, gold ... Jumping $1.3bn in July, to an historic high, then falling by $2.2bn in August – more than fully accounting for the $1.4bn decline in total exports in the month.