A leading economic index for Australia was lower again in August, the Conference Board said on Wednesday as its index fell 0.4 percent for the month following the 0.3 percent increase in July.
Individually, three of the seven components increased in August, including were the yield spread, rural goods exports, and gross operating surplus.
Negative contributors were share prices, building approvals, money supply and the sales to inventories ratio.
During the six-month period through August, the leading economic index decreased 1.2 percent - a reversal from the growth of 1.1 percent (about a 2.1 percent annual rate) over the previous six months.
The coincident index added 0.2 percent on month in August after adding 0.2 percent in July.
Three of the four components that make up the CEI for Australia increased in August, including household gross disposable income, employed persons and industrial production. Retail trade was unchanged in August.
During the six-month period through August, the coincident economic index increased 0.8 percent (about a 1.7 percent annual rate) in the six-month period ending August 2015, slower than its growth of 1.3 percent (about a 2.7 percent annual rate) over the previous six months.
Taken together, the downward trend in the LEI and the moderating growth rate of the CEI suggests downside risks to Australia's growth will persist in the near term.
Also on Wednesday:
• A leading economic index for Australia turned barely higher again in September, Westpac Bank said as its index gained 0.1 percent for the month following the 0.3 percent contraction in August.
As a result, economists at Westpac suggest that the Australian economy will continue to grow below trend.
The bank now expected economic growth of 2.75 percent in the next year - down from original expectations for an increase of 3.0 percent.
• Skilled vacancies in Australia jumped 1.8 percent on month in September, the DEWR said, following the 0.2 percent gain in August.
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Forex News
April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.