Australia posts second-quarter growth of 2.1%, beating expectations

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 30: The Sydney Harbour Bridge and skyline is illuminated during Vivid Sydney 2024 on May 30, 2024 in Sydney, Australia.Brendon Thorne | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesAustralia's economic growth beat expectations in the second quarter, expanding at 2.1% year on year, data released Wednesday showed.Economists polled by Reuters had estimated growth at 1.8%, while the economy had expanded by 2.5% in the prior quarter. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, GDP rose 0.4%, also marginally surpassing expectations of 0.3%. The slight growth was driven by private demand and mining exports. The Australian Bureau of Statistics said in its statement that households continued to behave cautiously, with spending remaining subdued and rising just 0.4%. Due to the Middle East conflict, households reduced fuel consumption due to elevated prices, and cut domestic and international travel.The stronger-than-expected GDP print will allow the Reserve Bank of Australia room to go ahead with its policy tightening as it seeks to curb inflation.At its last meeting, some RBA board members had considered the case for additional tightening, saying that inflation in the country was still too h...