2020.03.0423:46:00UTC+00Australia Trade Surplus A$5.210 Billion In January

Australia posted a seasonally adjusted merchandise trade surplus of A$5.210 billion in January, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday - down 3.0 percent on month.

That exceeded expectations for a surplus of A$4.80 billion following the A$5.223 billion surplus in the previous month.

Exports were down 3.0 percent on month to A$40.122 billion,

Non-monetary gold fell A$735 million (34 percent), non-rural goods fell A$714 million (3 percent) and net exports of goods under merchanting fell A$8 million. Rural goods rose A$236 million (6 percent). Services credits rose A$54 million (1 percent).

Imports sank 3.0 percent on month to A$34.911 billion.

Capital goods fell A$640 million (10 percent), intermediate and other merchandise goods fell A$466 million (4 percent) and consumption goods fell A$19 million. Non-monetary gold rose A$225 million (60 percent). Services debits fell A$101 million (1 percent).