Australia January Services PMI 49.1 (prior 47.1)

<p>Final S&amp;P Global / Judo Bank Services PMI for January 2024 is 49.1</p><p>(prior 47.1)</p><p>Composite 49.0</p><ul><li>prior 46.9</li></ul><p>We had the manufacturing PMI last week:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.forexlive.com/news/australia-final-january-manufacturing-pmi-501-prior-478-with-a-warning-on-inflation-20240131/" target="_blank" rel="follow" data-article-link="true">Australia Final January Manufacturing P</a>MI</li></ul><p>Preliminary readings for the three <a href="https://www.forexlive.com/news/australia-january-preliminary-pmis-manufacturing-503-prior-476-services-479-471-20240123/" target="_blank" rel="follow">are here</a>.</p><p>Commentary from the report on employment and inflation:</p><ul><li>“Resilience in labour demand continues to play an essential
role in moderating the slowdown in the Australian economy.
The employment index for January remained above the
neutral level, close to where it has resided over the past three
months. Despite the economy cooling, businesses continue
to see consumer demand exceed their supply capabilities,
hence the continued efforts to grow their workforces. Over
the past year, the resilience in employment and labour
demand has effectively put a floor under how much
Australia's economy can slow down.
</li><li>“Price pressures facing consumers have continued to ease
across the services sector. With demand softening in the
economy, the seasonally adjusted Prices Charged index
has fallen a level last seen in mid-2021 before inflation levels
began to rise. Input price pressures have also continued to
ease, albeit at a slower rate. The input price index fell to a
level, which, while still inconsistent with a 2-3% inflation rate,
was at the lowest recorded level seen since mid-2021. These
results, alongside official data releases, will likely see the RBA
board hold the cash rate at 4.35% in their February meeting,
as the economy appears to be following its narrow path to a
2-3% inflation rate.</li></ul><p>—</p><p>The Reserve Bank of Australia are meeting today and tomorrow (February 5 and 6). The decision is expected to keep the cash rate on hold at its current 12 year high:</p><ul><li>statement due at 2.30 pm Sydney time on Tuesday, 6 February 2024 (0330 GMT, 2230 US Eastern time)</li></ul><p>—</p><p>The Reserve Bank of Australia has embarked on a new era of meetings and communications. A press conference from Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Bullock will follow. </p>

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.