## Three things to watch for the week ahead: AU economy; AU AGM season; US unemployment **AU economy** The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will release its latest data on the Australian economy this week. The data is expected to show that the economy grew by 0.5% in the September quarter, which would be a slight slowdown from the 0.7% growth recorded in the June quarter. However, the economy is still expected to have grown by 3.2% over the past year, which would be the strongest annual growth rate since 2012. The ABS data will be closely watched by investors and economists for any signs of a slowdown in the economy. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has already cut interest rates twice this year, and is widely expected to cut rates again next month. The RBA is hoping that lower interest rates will boost economic growth, but it is also aware that the economy is facing a number of challenges, including the ongoing trade war between the US and China. **AU AGM season** The annual general meeting (AGM) season for Australian companies is about to begin. This is when companies hold their annual meetings to discuss their financial performance and plans for the future. Investors and analysts will be closely watching the AGMs for any signs of trouble or any indication of what the companies are planning to do in the year ahead. Some of the companies that are due to hold their AGMs this week include BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and Westpac. **US unemployment** The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will release its latest data on US unemployment this week. The data is expected to show that the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.5% in October. The unemployment rate has been at or below 4% for the past 20 months, which is the longest stretch of low unemployment since the 1960s. The BLS data will be closely watched by investors and economists for any signs of a slowdown in the US economy. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut interest rates again next month, but it is also aware that the economy is facing a number of challenges, including the ongoing trade war between the US and China.
