Australia’s NAB Q4 business survey: Outlook generally positive

By FXStreet Australia’s business outlook, according to the latest NAB survey, remains positive despite some pull back in the final quarter of 2015; it also suggests global uncertainties continue to be the greatest risk.

NAB official release

The NAB Quarterly Business Survey for Q4 2015 provides insight into how the domestic business environment was playing out towards the end of 2015, just prior to the resent rout in financial and commodity markets that have raised concerns over the economic outlook around the world.

“The Survey is confirming yet again that despite the issues facing the mining sector, Australia continues to enjoy a relatively healthy, vibrant and adaptive economy”, said NAB Group Chief Economist Alan Oster. However, global market volatilities highlight the growing risks to the outlook. “The longer these market volatilities persist, the more likely we will see an impact via sentiment channels”, said Mr Oster.

Prior to the recent market retreat, however, business confidence actually recorded a rebound, lifting 3 points to +4 index points. This in large part is a reflection of business conditions (how firms feel about their own business), which also held up at elevated levels (+9 index points) despite easing back slightly in the quarter. These outcomes are broadly consistent with …read more

Source:: FX Street