[AUST DATA REVIEW]

[AUST DATA REVIEW] Merchandise imports (in original terms) rebound by 4.7% or A$0.8 bln to A$17.3 bln over March following a revised 3.6% fall in the mth prior. However ABS calculated that good imports on a BOP basis had decreased by $748 mln or 4% in seasonally adjusted terms, lead by a steep 46% fall in the import of non monetary gold. Capital goods also fell by 12% but consumption goods recovered by 15%. Using the data as a raw guide, March's trade figures (due May 6th) look set to remain broadly steady barring a steep retracement in exports after the surplus widened out sharply to A$2,109 mln over Feb on an extraordinary surge in gold exports.