Analyst: Bessent's economic growth narrative contradicted by data

Golden Ten Data reported on March 6 that analyst Chris Anstey stated this would be a setback for the finance minister. Previously, we noted that Bessant had praised the growth in construction employment in January, viewing it as a model of the capital expenditure boom advocated by the government and expecting this momentum to continue. However, after an increase of 48,000 in January, construction employment fell by 11,000 in February. As for manufacturing, after a slight increase of 5,000 in January, the sector has resumed its downward trend, decreasing by 12,000.