Australia official Interest Rate

Cash rate target

When reference is made to the Australian interest rate this often refers to the
cash rate target, also called the official cash rate (OCR) or cash rate. This is the
Australian base rate. Banks pay this interest rate when they take out a loan with a
maturity of 1 day from another bank. By buying or selling bonds and other
securities issued by the government the RBA can influence the money supply and
thus the cash rate target. A rise or fall in the cash rate often also leads to a change
in the interest rates for mortgages, loans and savings.

Reserve Bank of Australia

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is the Australian central bank. The RBA’s most
important task is to set the monetary policy for Australia. The aim of this policy is
to achieve low and stable inflation in the medium term. Other important
responsibilities of the RBA are:

 to maintain financial stability and the stability of the Australian dollar;

 to maintain full employment;
 to contribute to the economic development and wealth of the inhabitants
of Australia;
 to act as banker for the Australian government;
 to issue Australian currency;
 to manage Australia’s foreign currency reserves.

The Reserve Bank of Australia lowered its cash rate by 25 bps to a new record low
of 0.75 percent during its September meeting, the third rate cut this year, aiming
to support employment and income growth and to provide greater confidence
that inflation will be consistent with the medium-term target. Policymakers also
signalled the need for an extended period of low interest rates, while saying the
central bank is prepared to ease monetary policy further if needed. Interest Rate
in Australia averaged 4.25 percent from 1990 until 2019, reaching an all time high
of 17.50 percent in January of 1990 and a record low of 0.75 percent in October
of 2019.

Australia Holds Cash Rate Steady at 1%

The Reserve Bank of Australia left the cash rate unchanged at a record low of 1
percent during its September meeting, as widely expected. Policymakers said that
it is reasonable to expect that an extended period of low interest rates will be
required to make progress in reducing unemployment and achieve progress
towards the inflation target. The Committee added that they will continue to
monitor the effects of the two consecut ive rate cuts in June and July and
developments in the labour market

Australia Interest Rate

In Australia, interest rates decisions are taken by the Reserve Bank of Australia's
Board. The official interest rate is the cash rate. The cash rate is the rate charged
on overnight loans between financial intermediaries, is determined in the money
market as a result of the interaction of demand for and supply of overnight funds.
This page provides - Australia Interest Rate - actual values, historical data,
forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Australia Interest Rate -
actual data, historical chart and calendar of releases - was last updated on
October of 2019.

Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit FREQUENCY

0.75 1.00 17.50 0.75 1990-2019 percent daily

Interest Rate in Australia is expected to be 0.75 percent by the end of this
quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts
expectations. ... In the long-term, the Australia Interest Rate is projected to trend
around 0.75 percent in 2020, according to our econometric models.
 Australia’s trade balance
Australia's trade balance is the difference between what we export and what we
import.

It is calculated by subtracting the value of the goods and services Australia buys
from overseas from the value of the goods and services we sell to other countries.

As of August 2019, Australia's trade balance was $5,926 million.

Australia’s trade balance over time

We calculate two different values for trade balance:

 seasonally adjusted (sa), which means monthly data is adjusted to

account for events such as Christmas, Easter and Chinese New
Year.
 trend, which means the data is smoothed to more clearly
highlight changes over time.

Australia's Trade Balance recorded a surplus of 4.0 USD bn in Aug 2019,

compared with a surplus of 5.1 USD bn in the previous month. Australia's
Trade Balance data is updated monthly, available from Jul 1971 to Aug
2019, with an The data reached an all-time high of 5.5 USD bn in averaged
value of -248.3 USD mn. Jun 2019 and a record low of -3.8 USD bn in Nov
2012. CEIC converts monthly Trade Balance into USD. The Australian
Bureau of Statistics provides Trade Balance in local currency. Federal
Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency
conversions. Trade Balance of goods and services is used.
 In the latest reports, Australia's Total Exports reached 27.8 USD bn in Aug
2019, an increase of 10.1 % year on year. Total Imports recorded 23.8 USD
bn in Aug 2019, an increase of 0.2 % year on year.

In the latest reports, Australia's Total Exports reached 27.8 USD bn in Aug
2019, an increase of 10.1 % year on year. Total Imports recorded 23.8 USD
bn in Aug 2019, an increase of 0.2 % year on year.

What was Australia's Trade Balance in Aug 2019?

last previous min max unit frequency range

4,014.9 5,061.1 -3,835.3 5,520.0 USD mn monthly jul1971-

AUG2019

View Australia's Trade Balance from Jul 1971 to Aug 2019 in the chart:
 Related Indicators for Australia Trade Balance

Foreign Trade Last Previous Frequency Range

Jul 1971
27,765.3 29,618.8 - Aug
Total Exports (USD mn) monthly 2019
monthly Jul 1971 - Aug USD mnAug USD mnJul
2019 2019 2019 Updated on
2019-10-03

Jul 1972
Total Exports Growth 10.1 15.6 - Aug
(%) monthly Jul 1972 - Aug monthly 2019
2019 %Aug 2019 %Jul 2019
Updated on
2019-10-03

2,640- 2,481- 1995 -

Aluminum: Exports 2017
(USD th) yearly 1995 -
,958.045 ,279.569 yearly
2017 Updated on
USD th2017 USD th2016
2018-07-10

1980 -
Forecast: Exports of 3.056 3.083 2024
Goods Growth (%) yearly
yearly 1980 - 2024 %2024 %2023 Updated on
2019-10-15

1,758- 1,623- 1995 -

Exports: Medicament 2017
(USD th) yearly 1995 -
,037.798 ,994.696 yearly
2017 Updated on
USD th2017 USD th2016
2018-07-10

Exports: Medicinal and 905,4- 969,1- 1995 -

Pharmaceutical 51.918 72.001 2017
yearly
Product (USD th) yearly Updated on
1995 - 2017 USD th2017 USD th2016
2018-10-10
 Foreign Trade Last Previous Frequency Range
Jul 1971
Total Imports (USD mn) 23,750.4 24,557.7 - Aug
monthly Jul 1971 - Aug monthly 2019
USD mnAug USD mnJul
2019
2019 2019 Updated on
2019-10-03

Jul 1972
Total Imports Growth 0.2 0.7 - Aug
(%) monthly Jul 1972 - Aug monthly 2019
2019 %Aug 2019 %Jul 2019
Updated on
2019-10-03

5,770- 5,679- 1995 -

Imports: Medicament 2017
(USD th) yearly 1995 -
,313.883 ,464.032 yearly
2017 Updated on
USD th2017 USD th2016
2018-07-10

Imports: Medicinal and 2,921- 2,656- 1995 -

Pharmaceutical ,218.790 ,488.716 2017
yearly
Product (USD th) yearly Updated on
1995 - 2017 USD th2017 USD th2016
2018-07-10

Jul 1971
Trade Balance: Goods 6,383.000 6,544.000 - Aug
& Services (AUD mn) monthly 2019
monthly Jul 1971 - Aug AUD mnAug AUD mnJul
2019 2019 2019 Updated on
2019-10-03

Jul 1971
Trade Balance: sa: 5,926.000 7,253.000 - Aug
Goods & Services (AUD monthly 2019
mn) monthly Jul 1971 - Aug AUD mnAug AUD mnJul
2019 2019 2019 Updated on
2019-10-03
 Foreign Trade Last Previous Frequency Range
Jul 1971
32,53- 34,05-
Export: sa: Goods (AUD 3.000 - Aug
0.000
mn) monthly Jul 1971 - Aug monthly 2019
2019 AUD mnAug AUD mnJul
2019 2019 Updated on
2019-10-03

Jul 1971
35,33- 36,45-
- Aug
Import: Goods & 4.000 8.000
monthly 2019
Services (AUD mn)
monthly Jul 1971 - Aug AUD mnAug AUD mnJul
2019 2019 Updated on
2019 2019-10-03

Jul 1971
26,60- 27,46-
Import: Goods (AUD mn) 9.000 - Aug
3.000
monthly Jul 1971 - Aug monthly 2019
2019 AUD mnAug AUD mnJul
2019 2019 Updated on
2019-10-03

Jul 1971
Import: Services (AUD 8,725.000 8,995.000 - Aug
mn) monthly Jul 1971 - Aug monthly 2019
AUD mnAug AUD mnJul
2019
2019 2019 Updated on
2019-10-03

Jul 1971
Import: sa: Goods & 35,05- 35,19-
- Aug
Services (AUD mn) 6.000 3.000
monthly 2019
monthly Jul 1971 - Aug
AUD mnAug AUD mnJul
2019 Updated on
2019 2019
2019-10-03

26,40- 26,70- Jul 1971

Import: sa: Goods (AUD - Aug
mn) monthly Jul 1971 - Aug
2.000 4.000 monthly
2019 2019
AUD mnAug AUD mnJul
 Foreign Trade Last Previous Frequency Range
2019 2019 Updated on
2019-10-03

Jul 1971
Import: sa: Services 8,653.000 8,489.000 - Aug
(AUD mn) monthly Jul 1971 monthly 2019
AUD mnAug AUD mnJul
- Aug 2019
2019 2019 Updated on
2019-10-03

Jul 1971
Export: Services (AUD 8,375.000 8,153.000 - Aug
mn) monthly Jul 1971 - Aug monthly 2019
AUD mnAug AUD mnJul
2019
2019 2019 Updated on
2019-10-03

Jul 1971
Export: sa: Goods & 40,98- 42,44-
- Aug
Services (AUD mn) 2.000 6.000
monthly 2019
monthly Jul 1971 - Aug
AUD mnAug AUD mnJul
2019 Updated on
2019 2019
2019-10-03

Jul 1971
Export: Goods & 41,71- 43,00-
- Aug
Services (AUD mn) 7.000 2.000
monthly 2019
monthly Jul 1971 - Aug
AUD mnAug AUD mnJul
2019 Updated on
2019 2019
2019-10-03
 Foreign Trade Last Previous Frequency Range

Jul 1971
33,34- 34,84-
Export: Goods (AUD mn) 2.000 - Aug
9.000
monthly Jul 1971 - Aug monthly 2019
2019 AUD mnAug AUD mnJul
2019 2019 Updated on
2019-10-03

Jul 1971
Export: sa: Services ,449.000 8,396.000 - Aug
(AUD mn) monthly Jul 1971 monthly 2019
AUD mnAug AUD mnJul
- Aug 2019
2019 2019 Updated on
2019-10-03
 Major MNC’S
Business in Australia has often dictated the way things are done in other major
countries. Exerting a powerful effect on the world of finance, the Great Down
Under has proven its influence time after time. Having a crucial foothold in every
business sector has granted Australia great pull in the corporate world. Here are
our top 10 companies in Australia in 2019 that prove this boast.

1. BHP Group (BHP)

2. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

3. Rio Tinto (RIO)

4. Westpac Banking Group (WBC)

5. CSL Limited (CSL)

6. ANZ Banking Group

7. National Australia Bank (NAB)

8. Macquarie Group (MQG)

9. Woolworths Group (WOW)

10.Wesfarmers (WES)

1.BHP Group (BHP)

At present, BHP Group is the largest company on the ASX. Boasting a market
capitalisation of nearly $160 billion, BHP is a global mining giant, specialising in
the exploration and production of commodities such as coal, gold, copper, and
iron ore, as well the exploration and refinement of petroleum. A dually listed firm,
but with its Australian headquarters based in Melbourne, BHP delivered earnings
per share (EPS) growth of 34.7% in financial year (FY) 2017/2018, and a 12 month
gross yield of 13.02%.

2.Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

The biggest of Australia’s Big 4 Banks, and a frequent contender for the title of
Australia’s biggest publicly list company, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia is
the second largest firm on the ASX. Best known as Australia’s premier retail bank,
the CBA is Australia’s largest residential lender. Valued at nearly $130 billion, the
company handed a 12 month gross yield of 8.55 to shareholders, but negative EPS
growth in 2017/18, after a financial year plagued with regulatory and compliance
scandals.

3.Rio Tinto (RIO)

Another international mining giant, based in London, Rio Tinto is Australia’s third
largest company by market capitalisation, and second largest mining company.
Specialising in the mining of several commodities, including aluminium, copper,
gold, coal, petroleum, diamonds, and iron ore, Rio is valued currently at almost
$120 billion. In FY2017/18, the company provided shareholders with EPS growth
of over 40%, a dividend yield of 7.14% for the financial year, all while possessing
attractive price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10.23.

4.Westpac Banking Group (WBC)

Australia’s second largest bank by market capitalisation, Westpac provides
commercial banking services to individuals, businesses, corporations and
institutions both domestically and abroad. Australia’s oldest bank, established in
1817 as the Bank of New South Wales, Westpac is one of two of Australia’s Big 4
Banks headquartered in Sydney. The company delivered to its shareholders a
10.43% 12 month gross yield in FY 2017/18, along with EPS growth of over 2.5%,
during what was scandal-ridden period for the bank.
5.CSL Limited (CSL)
CSL is a leader in Australia’s burgeoning biotechnology industry. Valued by market
capitalisation at $89 billion, the company develops, manufactures and markets
human pharmaceutical and diagnostic products made from human plasma. A
high-growth stock, CSL trades presently at a P/E multiple of 36.69, making it an
attractive investment for investors searching for capital appreciation. One of
2017/2018’s best performing shares, in the growing healthcare sector, CSL
shareholders experienced EPS growth of 30% in that financial year.

6.ANZ Banking Group

The ASX’s third largest bank, ANZ positions itself as Australia’s bank with reach
throughout the Asian region. An institution with a global mindset, the ANZ derives
a quarter of its revenue from its institutional service offering. Of course, it also
specialises in areas from depositary banking, mortgage lending and general
finance. Like its industry counterparts, FY 2017/18 was a challenging year for the
ANZ. However, the bank still managed to deliver 11% EPS to shareholders in that
period.

7.National Australia Bank (NAB)

The smallest of Australia’s Big 4 banks, the National Australia Bank is valued at
$68 billion by market capitalisation. Considered Australia’s 'business bank', NAB
derives most its revenue from domestic operations. The NAB is one of two of
Australia’s Big 4 based in Melbourne, the other being the ANZ. Known for its
attractive pay-out ratio, NAB provided shareholders an attractive dividend yield of
11.55% in FY 2017/18, but underwhelming EPS growth of -4.3%.

8.Macquarie Group (MQG)

Macquarie Group is Australia’s largest investment banking firm, with a significant
international presence. Affectionately known as the 'millionaire’s factory',
shareholders themselves have shared in the benefits of a growing Australian
corporate giant, attributable in large part to the vision of its recently resigned CEO
Nicholas Smith. Boasting a market capitalisation of $40 billion, the investment
bank has almost doubled in size since 2015, and according to its last financial
report, saw EPS growth of nearly 75% in 2018.

9.Woolworths Group (WOW)

Australia’s number one food retailer, Woolworths Group specialises in the
operation of supermarkets and general consumer stores, along with engaging in
the procurement of food, liquor and other products. The company also has
interests in other consumer goods and services, ranging from pubs,
accommodation and gaming operations. Valued by market capitalisation at nearly
$40 billion, Woolworths is considered by investors as one of the ASX’s 'defensive'
consumer staples sector stocks, the company’s 12 month gross yield for FY
2017/18 was 4.87%.

10.Wesfarmers (WES)
The tenth largest company on the ASX, with a market capitalisation of almost $37
billion, is Perth’s Wesfarmers Ltd. Specialising in several different commercial
areas, Wesfarmers owns retail chains, operates mines, writes insurance, produces
industrial products and distributes liquefied petroleum, amongst other activities.
Having driven EPS growth of over 5% in 2017/18, Wesfarmers is generally a high-
yielding defensive stock, delivering last year a gross 12 month yield of 9.82%.

Conclusion
Excellence never shone this bright where Australia’s corporate future is
concerned. With ideal footholds, history, consistency, and a growth projection
that often aims for the stars, the top 10 companies in Australia in 2019 are not
just going places; they are also redefining industry standards along the way.