ANALYSIS BY INDUSTRY


FEATURED SERIES

The following graphs and commentary refer to seasonally adjusted and trend estimates of: sales of goods and services ('Sales') and inventories ('Inv.') in volume terms; and wages and salaries ('Wages') and company gross operating profits ('CGOP') in current price terms.

TOTAL ALL INDUSTRIES

In current price terms, the trend estimate for company gross operating profits increased 1.2% in the December quarter 2007. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased by 3.9%, following a fall of 1.4% in the previous quarter. In current price terms, the trend estimate for wages and salaries increased 1.3% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased by 0.9%, following a 1.6% increase in the previous quarter.

In volume terms, the trend estimate for total inventories increased 0.8% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased 0.7% this quarter, the fourth consecutive quarter of growth.

MINING

In current prices, the trend estimate for company gross operating profits declined by 2.4%, the sixth consecutive fall. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased by 1.5%, following a large fall of 10.3% in the previous quarter. In current price terms, the trend estimate for wages and salaries increased 2.1% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate fell by 0.2%, the first fall since September quarter 2005.

In volume terms, the trend estimate for sales of goods and services was relatively unchanged this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased 0.6%, following a fall of 2.5% the previous quarter. In volume terms, the trend estimate for inventories increased 2.8% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate fell by 1.8% this quarter following five quarters of strong growth.

MANUFACTURING

In current price terms, the trend estimate for company gross operating profits increased by 1.1% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose by 6.5% this quarter, following a 3.2% fall in the previous quarter. In current price terms, the trend estimate for wages and salaries increased by 0.6%. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased by 0.8% this quarter.

In volume terms, the trend estimate for sales of goods and services increased 0.7%, the seventh consecutive rise. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose by 1.9%. In volume terms, the trend estimate for inventories increased 0.5% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate had a small rise of 0.7%, the fifth quarter of growth less than 1%.

CONSTRUCTION

In current prices, the trend estimate for company gross operating profits increased 5.4% this quarter, the sixth consecutive quarter of strong growth. The seasonally adjusted estimate had a strong increase of 13.7% this quarter. The trend estimate for wages and salaries increased 1.3% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased 2.8% for this quarter.

In volume terms, the trend estimate for sales of goods and services increased 2.8% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased 2.5% this quarter, the fifth consecutive quarter of growth.

WHOLESALE TRADE

In current prices, the trend estimate for company gross operating profits increased 2.7% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose strongly by 7.0% in the December quarter. In current prices, the trend estimate for wages and salaries increased 1.1% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 2.1%, the fourth consecutive quarter of increases.

In volume terms, the trend estimate for sales of goods and services was relatively unchanged (up 0.3%) this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased 1.2%. In volume terms, the trend estimate for inventories increased by 0.7% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased 0.4% in the December quarter 2007.

RETAIL TRADE

In current prices, the trend estimate for company gross operating profits increased 3.1% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased 3.0% this quarter. In current price terms, the trend estimate for wages and salaries increased 1.0% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased 0.7%, the tenth consecutive rise.

In volume terms, the trend estimate for sales of goods and services increased 1.2% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased 2.1%. In volume terms, the trend estimate for inventories increased by 1.0% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased by 2.1% this quarter.

TRANSPORT AND STORAGE

In current prices, the trend estimate for company gross operating profits increased 0.9% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate fell by 5.6% this quarter, following a strong increase of 15.3% in the previous quarter. In current price terms, the trend estimate for wages and salaries increased 2.7% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased 1.5%, the smallest increase since September quarter 2005.

In volume terms, the trend estimate for sales of goods and services increased 0.7% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased 1.0%, the eighth consecutive increase.

PROPERTY AND BUSINESS SERVICES

In current prices, the trend estimate for company gross operating profits increased 3.2% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate increased by 10.1% in the December quarter 2007, the strongest increase since September 2003. In current price terms, the trend estimate for wages and salaries increased 1.2% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate was relatively unchanged from the previous quarter.

In volume terms, the trend estimate for sales of goods and services increased 0.6% this quarter. The seasonally adjusted estimate fell by 0.6%, following eight quarters of growth.