Another dour reading from the leading index.
WPAC:
- The six-month annualised growth rate in the Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Index, which indicates the likely pace of economic activity relative to trend three to nine months into the future, was -1.04% in January, largely unchanged on the -1.09% read in December.
- The growth rate in the Leading Index held at a weak –1.04%.
- This points to below trend growth through most of 2023.
- The growth rate has now been negative for six consecutive months.
- The Index is indicating that the economy’s growth rate will remain below trend through most of 2023 – consistent with Westpac’s forecast.
- Global factors, monetary policy and, recently, hours worked have weighed heavily on the Index.
Still to come from Australia later:
![Australia mining truck](https://images.forexlive.com/images/Australia%20iron%20ore%20mining%20truck_id_9ff88c35-12b2-49ff-a1af-a0a3e93c206b_original.jpg)