Financial News: Australia Westpac Leading Index Signals Sluggish Growth

Australia Westpac Leading Index Signals Sluggish Growth

06/17/2026 - 00:16:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - Australia's leading index signalled sluggish and below-trend growth in May, 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, rose slightly to -0.17 percent in May from -0.18 percent in April.

Westpac said sluggish and below-trend growth momentum is likely to continue through the second half of this year and into early 2027.

Although the growth pulse is not overly weak, it is likely to take some time yet before the full negative impacts from higher interest rates and the spike in fuel costs become apparent.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Market News provided by RTTNews

RECENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS

European Economic News Preview: UK Inflation Data Due (15 min(s), 54 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Consumer and producer prices data from the UK is top economic news due on Wednesday. ...Full Story»

Australia Westpac Leading Index Signals Sluggish Growth (01 hr(s), 08 min(s), 54 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Australia's leading index signalled sluggish and below-trend growth in May, Westpa ...Full Story»

Japan Core Machinery Orders Jump 8.7% In April (36 min(s), 06 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The value of core machinery orders in Japan was up a seasonally adjusted 8.7 percent o ...Full Story»

Japan Has Y378.673 Billion Trade Shortfall In May (32 min(s), 06 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Japan posted a merchandise trade deficit of 378.673 billion yen in May, the Ministry o ...Full Story»

New Zealand Adjusted Q1 Current Account Shortfall NZ$4.6 Billion (31 min(s), 06 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - New Zealand posted a seasonally adjusted current account deficit of NZ$4.6 billion in ...Full Story»

Japan Trade Data On Tap For Wednesday (35 min(s), 06 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Japan will on Wednesday release April figures for core machinery orders and May number ...Full Story»

Twenty-Year Bond Auction Attracts Above Average Demand (41 min(s), 06 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The Treasury Department announced the results of this month's auction of $13 billi ...Full Story»

U.S. Import Prices Surge 1.9% In May, Much More Than Expected (55 min(s), 06 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - A report released by the Labor Department on Tuesday showed import prices in the U.S. ...Full Story»