February delivered mixed signals for the Australian economy.

Labour market conditions were steady. The unemployment rate held at 4.1%, with 18,000 more people employed in January, driven by a rise in full-time jobs and partly offset by a fall in part-time roles.

Wage growth continued to edge higher, up 0.8% in the December quarter and 3.4% over the year, while household spending softened.

Inflation was slightly higher than expected, with CPI remaining at 3.8%, and trimmed inflation (the RBA’s measure of underlying inflation) increasing to 3.4%, up from 3.3%.

Reporting season added its usual volatility to the share market and the ASX hit several record highs towards the end of the month.

The Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index fell further by 2.6% to 90.5 in February, impacted by February’s cash rate increase.

The Australian dollar strengthened, largely due to global risk sentiment, hitting a three-year high of USD 0.71 by month’s end.