Australian private capital expenditure fell 5.20% on a seasonally adjusted basis in the first quarter of 2016, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed on Thursday. In the quarter, capital expenditure was at A$30.613 billion, after rising to a revised 1.80% in the previous quarter. The decline of 5.20% missed analyst expectations of a 3.50% decline. On a yearly basis, capital expenditure was down 15.40%. Capex on building and structures was down 7.90% on the quarter posting an 18.80% decline on the year, while capex on plants, equipment and machinery was down 0.50% on the quarter to 9.20% on a yearly basis. The weaker capex is likely to weigh on the first quarter GDP data which is due for release on June 1st. In the previous quarter, Australia's quarterly GDP increased 0.60% rising to 3.0% on an annualized basis.
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Daily Analysis - 27/05/2016