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Thoughts on ways to improve the management of professional services firms

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Australian March 11 capex figures surprise

Capex stats March 11

The Australian Bureau of Statistics capital expenditure figures for March were higher than some expected. You can clearly see the upwards trend.

The expectations data  on future capital expenditure also continues strong.

The multiple speed nature of the Australian economy continues, with some data very soft indeed.   

Postscript

In this morning's Australian (27 May), Sarah-Jane Tasker reports that the Australian Bureau of Agricultural & Resource Economics & Sciences planned investment in Australia's resources sector has hit a record $173.5 billion.

Some care must be exercised in interpreting these major project figures. I know from my own experience, my then area was responsible for similar monitoring back in the early 1980s, that the numbers can bounce around. If prices fall, projects can be deferred or re-scheduled.