AUSTRALIA: The Westpac-Melbourne Institute index of leading indicators
rose 0.5 points (0.2%) to 255.7 in January, repeating December’s
annualized growth rate of 6.3%, well above the long-term trend level of
2.7%, the data compilers said. They said the coincident index rose 2.0
points (0.8%) in January to 247.8 and an annualized 3.9%, taking it
above the long term trend rate of 3.2% for the first time since
September 2007.