Jobless rate rises in April; hours worked falls over past 12 months

16 May 2024

 

Summary:  Employment up 38,500 in April, greater than expected; Westpac: Labour demand cooler but has translated into only gradual softening in employment growth; ACGB yields fall heavily; rate-cut expectations firm noticeably; ANZ: fall in hours worked “noteworthy”; participation rate ticks up to 66.7%; jobless rate rises from 3.9% to 4.1%; more part-time jobs, more full-time jobs; aggregate work hours steady; underemployment rate ticks up to 6.6%. Australia’s period of falling...

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