KEY POINTS:
A key measure of Australian business conditions edged up from seven-year lows in August thanks to strength in the booming mining sector, a survey today showed, but pessimism still ruled in general.
The National Australia Bank's (NAB) index of overall business conditions rose 2 points in August to a reading of -3.
The survey's measure of business confidence also firmed 2 points, but that still left it at a historically low -7, news agencies across the Tasman were reporting today.
Another business survey, conducted by Dun & Bradstreet, confirmed the glum situation in Australia.
D&B's survey of business executives found 37 per cent believe petrol prices will be their biggest worry in the December quarter.
That is down 10 per cent on last month's figure, after petrol prices dropped from their record highs.
Furthermore, only 10 per cent of Australian businesses surveyed expect to increase employee numbers in the last quarter of 2008.
- NZHERALD STAFF
