Australia’s business conditions for the month of July increased reaching its maximum levels earlier in 2008 which also heightened business confidence. This was the monthly business assessment conducted by the National Australia Bank (NAB). In the previous month, business conditions marginally rose by a point to +15 and the Australian financial institution said that the hike is thrice the long-run average of +5. In spite of the volatility, business outlook experienced a steep increase reaching 4 to +12 points in July and doubled the long-run average of +6. The "profitability" factor is the only thing that improved in the business conditions. While working conditions kept steady at +7, as trading and sales had toned down marginally, however, stayed at an elevated level, based on the measures of the bank. Other major indicators are less optimistic considering that forward orders eased slightly along with the capacity utilization that remained flat. Moreover, there are positive and negative sides that the business survey should consider. Alan Oster, NAB's chief economist, said that "Business confidence has gradually been chasing business conditions higher for some time, and has likely seen some additional support this year from an improving global environment as well, although there are still some notable risks".
