Australia's December exports soar on soft currency and high commodities

Australia’s trade surplus widened more than forecast in December, as the local currency reached below 0.72 cents against the US dollar during the month.

The recent rebounce in commodity prices was the main contributor of the trade surplus.  AUD has significantly rose to $0.76 during January, which may complicate the country's trade activities this month.

Thursday's data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed after seasonal adjustments, trade deficit stood at A$3.51 billion in December, against a median estimate forecast the surplus to expand to just over $2 billion.

Exports of goods and services rose at a seasonally adjusted 5% in December, after rising 8% the previous month.

DECEMBER KEY FIGURES FROM ABS

Oct 2016
Nov 2016
Dec 2016
Nov 16 to Dec 16
$m
$m
$m
% change

BALANCE ON GOODS AND SERVICES
Trend estimates
322
1 277
2 193
72
Seasonally adjusted
-733
2 040
3 511
72
CREDITS (Exports of goods & services)
Trend estimates
29 079
30 120
31 114
3
Seasonally adjusted
28 137
30 951
32 630
5
DEBITS (Imports of goods & services)
Trend estimates
28 757
28 843
28 921
-
Seasonally adjusted
28 870
28 911
29 120
1

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)