Financial News: Australia Leading Index Growth Remains Stable

Australia Leading Index Growth Remains Stable

03/18/2026 - 02:20:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - Australia leading index logged steady growth in February but remained weak compared to the last year, Westpac said Wednesday.

The six-month annualized 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, held unchanged at 0.08 percent in February.

The leading index growth rate has moderated slightly to a +0.08 percent in February from +0.13 percent in September.

Westpac said the index is likely to drop further in coming months due to the impact of the central bank's recent interest rate hike and also the full effects from the conflict in the Middle East.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Market News provided by RTTNews

RECENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS

U.S. Homebuilder Confidence Deteriorates Much More Than Expected April (01 hr(s), 56 min(s), 08 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Reflecting economic uncertainty coupled with rising building material costs and intere ...Full Story»

U.S. Crude Oil Inventories Unexpectedly Edge Lower (02 hr(s), 0 min(s),08 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The Energy Information Administration released a report on Wednesday showing crude oil ...Full Story»

New York Manufacturing Index Unexpectedly Indicates Growth In April (02 hr(s), 09 min(s), 08 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - A report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Wednesday unexpectedly sh ...Full Story»

U.S. Import Prices Climb 0.8% In March, Much Less Than Expected (02 hr(s), 51 min(s), 08 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Import prices in the U.S. grew by much less than expected in the month of March, accor ...Full Story»

New York Manufacturing Index Unexpectedly Turns Positive In April (04 hr(s), 01 min(s), 08 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - A report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Wednesday unexpectedly sh ...Full Story»

U.S. Import Prices Climb Much Less Than Expected In March (04 hr(s), 06 min(s), 08 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Import prices in the U.S. grew by much less than expected in the month of March, accor ...Full Story»

Irish Trade Surplus Shrinks In February (06 hr(s), 06 min(s), 08 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Ireland's foreign trade surplus decreased in February as imports grew amid a fall ...Full Story»

Hungary Industrial Output Falls As Estimated (06 hr(s), 25 min(s), 08 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Hungary's industrial production declined for the second straight month as initiall ...Full Story»