The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) announced Wednesday that the Australian home loans rose 0.5 percent m-o-m in June, following a revised 1.1 percent m-o-m gain in May (initially 1 percent). Economists had expected a 1.5 percent m-o-m increase. According to the report, the lending to owner occupiers rose 0.3 percent m-o-m in June compared to a 2.9 percent gain in May. Meanwhile, loans to investors increased 1.6 percent m-o-m, snapping two months of declines. Number of loan approvals to build new dwellings went up 3.6 percent m-o-m in June, while approvals to buy new dwellings rose 3.5 percent m-o-m. In the meantime, lending for the purchase of established homes edged down 0.1 percent m-o-m.