Reserve Bank of Australia Release 02/02/2010

Reserve Bank Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 3.75 per cent.

ABS Release 03/02/2010

International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia, Dec 2009

BALANCE ON GOODS AND SERVICES

• The trend estimate of the balance on goods and services was a deficit of $1,988m in December 2009, an increase of $198m on a revised deficit in November 2009;
• In seasonally adjusted terms, the balance on goods and services was a deficit of $2,252m in December 2009, an increase of $524m on the revised deficit in November 2009.

CREDITS (EXPORTS OF GOODS & SERVICES)

• Seasonally adjusted, goods and services credits rose $675m (4%) to $19,767m.Non-rural goods rose $571m (5%) with the coal, coke and briquettescomponent up $256m (10%), the metals (excl. non-monetary gold) component up $178m (25%) and the other mineral fuels component up $174m (13%). Rural goods rose $135m (7%) and non-monetary gold fell $46m (4%). Services credits rose $15m.

DEBITS (IMPORTS OF GOODS & SERVICES)

• Seasonally adjusted, goods and services debits rose $1,198m (6%) to $22,018m.Intermediate and other merchandise goods rose $760m (11%) with the fuels and lubricants component up $535m (26%), capital goods rose $246m (7%),non-monetary gold rose $224m (51%) and consumption goods fell $74m (1%).Services debits rose $42m (1%).