Stateometer: trade drives momentum

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the crisis in Ukraine and flooding on the east coast all threatened to impact momentum, but Australia entered the June quarter on a solid footing amid resilience in consumer demand and continued strength in the labour market.

"There are, however, airbags in place for inflation and rate impacts."

According to the ANZ Stateometer, economic performance in all Australian states and territories remained above trend in the three months to the end of March. Momentum accelerated across all states and territories other than the Northern Territory.

New South Wales and Queensland were among the top performers in the period, reflecting strong trade momentum for both states as borders reopened. This also benefited Victoria.

South Australia and Western Australia saw above-trend performance with merchandise trade a bright spot for growth.

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Issue

Like most of the world, inflation is becoming an issue across Australia’s states and territories. Households and businesses are feeling the pressure, and real wages are falling.

In 2022, ANZ Research expects wages growth to accelerate on a nominal basis; in real terms, wages will continue to fall for some time.

There are, however, airbags in place for inflation and rate impacts, with the Reserve Bank of Australia expected to deliver around 200 basis points of cash rate hikes by the middle of 2023. On an aggregate basis, households are well placed to absorb those hikes, given higher savings levels and the strong employment and wages outlook.

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Robust

The ANZ Stateometer showed a rise in NSW’s economic momentum in the first quarter, with the index slightly above the rest of Australia. Victoria’s economic activity was robust, with an increase in trade partially offset by lower business, housing and labour components.

In Queensland, economic momentum accelerated in the first quarter, with all five components above trend, despite widespread flooding during the period.

SA’s economy remained robust, with the index higher than the national average. The labour component rose, even in the face of the highest unemployment rate of all states.

WA’s economic performance improved, with labour and trade the major drivers. Tasmania’s performance accelerated slightly, while NT’s momentum fell to a level slightly above neutral. The ACT saw a sharp rise in performance.

Bansi Madhavani, Catherine Birch & Adelaide Timbrell are Senior Economists, and Arindam Chakraborty is a Junior Economist at ANZ

This story is an edited excerpt from the latest ANZ Stateometer Report, published May 19, 2022.