A countries economy can be a key indicator on how the exchange rate will fluctuate in the market. The Australian economy is largely based on the services sector (80% of GDP) (kallman.com) and natural resources. The main exports are natural resources, energy, and food. Australia also has a close trade relationship with China and is negotiating with China, Japan and Korea on a free trade agreement. The GDP growth rate for Australia has fluctuated slightly over the past three years. In 2009 the growth rate was 1.4%. The rate rose to 2.5% in 2010 and fell to 2% in 2011(World Factbook). In 2010 there was an influx of foreign investment which may have boosted the growth rate. Australia was hit by the financial crisis in 2009 but bounced back quickly after only one quarter of negative growth. There was a fiscal stimulus package for more than US$50 billion and interest rates were cut to historic lows by the Australian Reserve Bank. Unemployment peaked at 5.7% in late 2009 and has fallen to 5% in 2011 (World factbook). Australia has had a negative current account for the past five years with a low of negative AU$69.34 billion (about US$58 billion) in 2007 and a high of AU$26.1 billion (about US$20.4 billion) in 2009 as seen in table 1.1. Some
A countries economy can be a key indicator on how the exchange rate will fluctuate in the market. The Australian economy is largely based on the services sector (80% of GDP) (kallman.com) and natural resources. The main exports are natural resources, energy, and food. Australia also has a close trade relationship with China and is negotiating with China, Japan and Korea on a free trade agreement. The GDP growth rate for Australia has fluctuated slightly over the past three years. In 2009 the growth rate was 1.4%. The rate rose to 2.5% in 2010 and fell to 2% in 2011(World Factbook). In 2010 there was an influx of foreign investment which may have boosted the growth rate. Australia was hit by the financial crisis in 2009 but bounced back quickly after only one quarter of negative growth. There was a fiscal stimulus package for more than US$50 billion and interest rates were cut to historic lows by the Australian Reserve Bank. Unemployment peaked at 5.7% in late 2009 and has fallen to 5% in 2011 (World factbook). Australia has had a negative current account for the past five years with a low of negative AU$69.34 billion (about US$58 billion) in 2007 and a high of AU$26.1 billion (about US$20.4 billion) in 2009 as seen in table 1.1. Some