Why Australia is lagging the pack on rate cuts
4 months, 1 week ago

Why Australia is lagging the pack on rate cuts

ABC  

At last, some good news. Despite core inflation still sitting well above target, there's a better than even chance the official cash rate will be cut within weeks. But when it came to the all-important core inflation measure, America's came in at 3.3 per cent, again just a couple of points below us at 3.5 per cent. Immediately after the US data was delivered, money markets pencilled in the chance of yet another rate cut at about 80 per cent when the US Federal Reserve met next month. Westpac chief economist Luci Ellis, a former RBA assistant governor, raised concerns about the RBA's actions months ago when she was calling for a November rate cut.

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Australia, NZ dollars back off resistance, tariff risk looms
3 weeks, 4 days ago

Australia, NZ dollars back off resistance, tariff risk looms

Live Mint  

By Wayne Cole SYDNEY, Feb 25 - The Australian and New Zealand dollars were on the back foot on Tuesday after again failing to clear resistance, and markets were reminded the next round of U.S. tariff jeopardy was just days away. President Donald Trump on Monday indicated proposed levies on Mexico and Canada were still set to start next week, …

Australia, NZ dlrs scale two-month highs, RBA hawkish on easing
1 month ago

Australia, NZ dlrs scale two-month highs, RBA hawkish on easing

Live Mint  

By Wayne Cole SYDNEY, Feb 21 - The Australian and New Zealand dollars hovered near two-month highs on Friday as worries about a global trade war abated a little, while Australia's central bank sounded a hawkish tone on future rate cuts. "Future rate cuts will likely be more a case of benign inflation readings allowing the RBA to remove the …

RBA delivers first rate cut since 2020
1 month ago

RBA delivers first rate cut since 2020

ABC  

Samantha Donovan: Hello, welcome to PM. So what we've seen is those really sticky items in the inflation baskets, I think insurance premiums, out-of-pocket health care costs, the cost of building a new dwelling or rental prices, those price increases have been such that the Reserve Bank has been worried that if it doesn't keep interest rate policy restrictive, and …

Australian shares marginally extend losses after RBA cuts rate as expected
1 month ago

Australian shares marginally extend losses after RBA cuts rate as expected

Live Mint  

By Adwitiya Srivastava Feb 18 - Australian shares slightly deepened losses after the local central bank delivered its highly anticipated interest rate cut for the first time in over four years on Tuesday, driven by a sell-off in heavyweight financials. The RBA cut rates by 25 basis points to 4.10%, easing its monetary policy for the first time since November …

Australian central bank cuts benchmark interest rate for the first time since October 2020
1 month ago

Australian central bank cuts benchmark interest rate for the first time since October 2020

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia’s central bank on Tuesday reduced its benchmark interest rate for the first time since October 2020 as the nation’s inflation cools. “Inflation has fallen substantially since the peak in 2022, as higher interest rates have been working to bring aggregate demand and supply closer towards balance,” the board said in a statement. “Some other central banks …

Borrowers on edge ahead of RBA decision
1 month ago

Borrowers on edge ahead of RBA decision

ABC  

Andy Park: Hello, welcome to The World Today. If by its very nature, the Reserve Bank cutting interest rates stimulates demand and increases inflation, if underlying inflation still isn't within the Reserve Bank's band of between 2% and 3%, won't an interest rate cut have policy makers put up the white flag on inflation? Jane Bardon: The independent Yolngu MP …

Reserve Bank cuts interest rates for the first time since November 2020
1 month ago

Reserve Bank cuts interest rates for the first time since November 2020

ABC  

The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut interest rates for the first time since November 2020. RBA governor Michele Bullock noted that the rise in interest rates from the "emergency lows" of the pandemic had meant households with home loans were hurting, but argued high inflation caused more pain. At the post-meeting press conference, Ms Bullock said she couldn't confirm …

Why the Reserve Bank has little option but to cut interest rates
1 month ago

Why the Reserve Bank has little option but to cut interest rates

ABC  

After more than six months of conjecture and on-again off-again signals, interest rates are about to start a descent. In the December quarter, core inflation came in at just 0.5 per cent which, if you annualise it, comes in at just 2 per cent, smack bang at the bottom of the RBA's target range. Core inflation has dropped rapidly, more …

Inflation has fallen in Australia and NZ, but which is faring better?
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Inflation has fallen in Australia and NZ, but which is faring better?

ABC  

New Zealand's economy is in recession. But inflation has fallen in both countries, and Australia's Reserve Bank is expected to start cutting interest rates soon. For example, New Zealand's labour force hasn't grown in the past 12 months, but you wouldn't know that by looking at its unemployment rate. Therefore, you could argue that New Zealand's unemployment rate is obscuring …

Jim Chalmers gloats the worst of the cost-of-living crisis is over... but these bleak figures reveal why millions of Aussies are still not celebrating
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Jim Chalmers gloats the worst of the cost-of-living crisis is over... but these bleak figures reveal why millions of Aussies are still not celebrating

Daily Mail  

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the worst of the inflation crisis is over, despite new evidence showing one in two Australians are cutting back on groceries. Among this group of unprepared borrowers, almost half or 48 per cent of them had cut back on spending for essential items, like groceries and power bills despite the federal government's $300 electricity rebates. Treasurer …

Why is the Australian dollar falling and what could it mean for you?
2 months, 1 week ago

Why is the Australian dollar falling and what could it mean for you?

ABC  

The Australian dollar is around its lowest level since 2020 against the US currency, continuing its move towards 61 US cents with a sharp fall over the weekend. "While the strong US dollar has left no prisoners, the Aussie softness has been exacerbated by tariff angst, fears over economic growth in China and the repricing in domestic interest rate expectations," …

Australia, NZ dlrs Struggle near two-year lows, data on help
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Australia, NZ dlrs Struggle near two-year lows, data on help

Live Mint  

By Wayne Cole SYDNEY, Jan 9 - The Australian dollar and New Zealand dollars wallowed near two-year lows on Thursday as their U.S. counterpart caught an updraught from lofty Treasury yields, while domestic data disappointed high expectations. Figures showed Australian retail sales rose a solid 0.8% in November as Black Friday discounting attracted frugal shoppers, but that missed market forecasts …

A February interest rate cut is a real possibility, but there's at least one hurdle to clear
2 months, 2 weeks ago

A February interest rate cut is a real possibility, but there's at least one hurdle to clear

ABC  

At 11:31am AEDT on Wednesday, the Australian dollar began falling against the greenback. Inflation drop raises rate cut odds Photo shows A coloured graphic showing a petrol pump, coins, keys and a bag of fresh groceries against a backdrop of receipts A fall in the Reserve Bank's preferred measure of inflation has increased the odds of an interest rate cut …

Good news millions of Aussies with a mortgage have been waiting to hear for years
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Good news millions of Aussies with a mortgage have been waiting to hear for years

Daily Mail  

Economic analysts and bank bosses have forecast an interest rate cut in the next three months, in welcome news for those struggling with mortgage repayments. Westpac chief economist Luci Ellis told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that the Reserve Bank could cut rates soon. Economic analysts and bank bosses have revealed an interest rate cut is on the horizon in …

When will interest rates go down in Australia? Here's what we know
2 months, 2 weeks ago

When will interest rates go down in Australia? Here's what we know

ABC  

Will this be the year mortgage borrowers finally get some interest rate relief? After that, the meetings are currently scheduled for the following dates, although the RBA has indicated some of those meeting dates may change: March 31-April 1 May 19-20 July 7-8 August 11-12 September 29-30 November 3-4 December 8-9 It's the second year of the board's reduced meeting …

Interest rates, exporters and Reserve Bank intervention: There's a lot at stake as the Australian dollar weakens
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Interest rates, exporters and Reserve Bank intervention: There's a lot at stake as the Australian dollar weakens

ABC  

Is the Reserve Bank close to stepping into the currency market to support the Australian dollar and, if so, what does this mean for millions of Australians? Reserve Bank can intervene to support the dollar The Reserve Bank last intervened in the foreign exchange market in 2007-08 during the global financial crisis, when it bought Australian dollars. "This was in …

RBA chief's major hint that there could soon be some VERY good news ahead for home-owners
2 months, 3 weeks ago

RBA chief's major hint that there could soon be some VERY good news ahead for home-owners

Daily Mail  

The Reserve Bank has given a strong hint borrowers are getting some interest rate cuts in 2025 even though inflation is still too high. The Reserve Bank has given a strong hint interest rate cuts are coming even though inflation is still too high While headline inflation is at a three-year low of 2.8 per cent, the RBA regarded this …

NZ recession and Federal Reserve rate cut sink Aussie dollar but show the RBA dodged a bullet
3 months ago

NZ recession and Federal Reserve rate cut sink Aussie dollar but show the RBA dodged a bullet

ABC  

If you're looking for a last-minute overseas summer getaway, New Zealand is looking increasingly attractive. On the monetary policy front, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand started lifting its cash rate from COVID-19 lows of 0.25 per cent in October 2021 — a full seven months before Australia's Reserve Bank. Why a Fed rate cut sent the US dollar soaring …

The RBA is preparing for all economic scenarios, including an interest rate hike
3 months, 1 week ago

The RBA is preparing for all economic scenarios, including an interest rate hike

ABC  

The Reserve Bank may have dropped the phrase "not ruling anything in or out" in its interest rates commentary, but that does not mean an interest rate hike is completely out of the question. That is because, as Dr Hunter explained, it would mean the RBA's key policy goal of achieving its mid-point annual inflation target of 2.5 per cent …

Reserve Bank governor opens door to February interest rate cut, but will she walk through?
3 months, 1 week ago

Reserve Bank governor opens door to February interest rate cut, but will she walk through?

ABC  

There was plenty of pre-Christmas cheer at the Reserve Bank press conference. Why productivity is key to any future rate cut Photo shows People on platform and at the departures board at Sydney's Central train station It's the RBA's latest buzzword for justifying why interest rates need to remain at restrictive levels. "I don't think we're quite tipping in the …

Major blow for Aussies just before Christmas as Reserve Bank makes interest rate decision
3 months, 1 week ago

Major blow for Aussies just before Christmas as Reserve Bank makes interest rate decision

Daily Mail  

Australian home borrowers have been dealt a severe blow just before Christmas with the Reserve Bank denying them a rate cut. Governor Michele Bullock gave a strong hint rate cuts could be months away with inflation still too high, ahead of an election next year. Australian home borrowers have been dealt a severe blow just before Christmas with the Reserve …

Reserve Bank keeps interest rates on hold in December but leaves door open to a February cut
3 months, 1 week ago

Reserve Bank keeps interest rates on hold in December but leaves door open to a February cut

ABC  

The Reserve Bank has left interest rates on hold in December for a ninth-straight meeting, but opened the door to a rate cut as soon as February. This is a change in language from the board's November statement, which said it needed to "remain vigilant to upside risks to inflation" and was "not ruling anything in or out". "While the …

Why the bout between the Reserve Bank and the federal government is about to heat up
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Why the bout between the Reserve Bank and the federal government is about to heat up

ABC  

There's an old adage that oppositions don't win elections, governments lose them. RBA Governor Michele Bullock says Australia's strategy of reducing inflation without stoking too much unemployment is part of the reason why it looks different to peer economies right now. RBA unlikely to react to October inflation data Photo shows Household money pic Australia's inflation rate remained steady in …

Big hint Anthony Albanese is responsible for you missing out on a rate cut - with Australia's most powerful banker blaming government spending for inflation
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Big hint Anthony Albanese is responsible for you missing out on a rate cut - with Australia's most powerful banker blaming government spending for inflation

Daily Mail  

Australia's most powerful banker has given a strong hint that excessive government spending is to blame for high inflation, ruling out rate cuts until 2025. Australia's most powerful banker has given a strong hint excessive government spending is to blame for high inflation - and therefore no rate cuts While headline inflation has fallen to a three-and-a-half year low of …

Sharply rising bond rates could stem Wall Street's 'relief rally' and push interest rate cuts further into the future
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Sharply rising bond rates could stem Wall Street's 'relief rally' and push interest rate cuts further into the future

ABC  

The apparent roar of approval was almost deafening. It's a world that, down the track, promises a return of inflation and permanently higher interest rates as America shifts to a more protectionist global stance that punishes China and, by extension, hurts Australia. Since mid-September, US money markets almost inexplicably have begun forecasting a rise in interest rates. The bond is …

Interest rates might fall in February … but don't bet the house on it
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Interest rates might fall in February … but don't bet the house on it

ABC  

It's the hope that kills you. Rate cuts may not come until autumn, if they come at all Now even a February rate cut is looking unlikely, according to the money markets, which are pricing just 20 per cent chance of a cut, despite all four big banks and many other local economists forecasting it. Markets are pricing in a …

Reserve Bank keeps interest rates at 4.35pc for eighth-straight meeting despite lower inflation
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Reserve Bank keeps interest rates at 4.35pc for eighth-straight meeting despite lower inflation

ABC  

The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept interest rates on hold at 4.35 per cent for its eighth-straight meeting, despite inflation falling to its lowest level in almost four years. In a statement, the RBA said while inflation has "fallen substantially" since it peaked in 2022, underlying inflation remained too high at 3.5 per cent in the September quarter. The …

New Zealand's central bank cuts rates by 0.5 percentage points, ASX closes slightly higher — as it happened
5 months, 2 weeks ago

New Zealand's central bank cuts rates by 0.5 percentage points, ASX closes slightly higher — as it happened

ABC  

From Mr Kent's speech: The TFF was part of the insurance the RBA took out against a catastrophic economic outcome. While some of the TFF’s design features underpinned its significant use by the banks – and hence its economic benefits more broadly – these were also associated with financial costs for the RBA. As a result, the board ended up …

The cheapest home loan interest rate in Australia as banks slash rates
5 months, 2 weeks ago

The cheapest home loan interest rate in Australia as banks slash rates

Daily Mail  

Australian borrowers tempted by lower fixed rate mortgages should not jump in too soon, amid predictions of even better deals on offer in 2025. Macquarie Bank on Thursday slashed its two and three-year fixed rates by 20 basis points to 5.39 per cent - now Australia's lowest mortgage rate outside of a green loan. But their lowest fixed rates are …

The great New Zealand rate hike experiment and where it all went wrong
5 months, 3 weeks ago

The great New Zealand rate hike experiment and where it all went wrong

ABC  

You have to hand it to the Kiwis. In NZ, interest rates have started to fall Photo shows Skyscapers make up a very business end of town skyline As Australian mortgage holders wait for relief, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand cuts rates and green shoots emerge in the housing market. RBA keeps interest rates at 4.35pc Photo shows Reserve …

Reserve Bank keeps interest rates on hold at 4.35pc, ignoring political pressure for cut
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Reserve Bank keeps interest rates on hold at 4.35pc, ignoring political pressure for cut

ABC  

The Reserve Bank has left interest rates on hold at 4.35 per cent. Earlier this month, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the RBA's rate hikes were "smashing the economy", and former Labor treasurer Wayne Swan accused the RBA of "putting economic dogma over rational decision-making" by refusing to cut rates at this point in the cycle. "With the labour market still …

These numbers are the clues to the Reserve Bank's puzzle: when will interest rates go down?
6 months ago

These numbers are the clues to the Reserve Bank's puzzle: when will interest rates go down?

ABC  

Perhaps no question matters more to Australians worn down by three years of relentless cost pressures: when will the Reserve Bank cut interest rates? But not too much – which is why when inflation shoots high, the Reserve Bank raises interest rates to suppress demand by making it more expensive to borrow and spend. But the Reserve Bank prefers a …

How the US Federal Reserve rate cut could impact the race for the White House between Harris and Trump
6 months ago

How the US Federal Reserve rate cut could impact the race for the White House between Harris and Trump

ABC  

The US Federal Reserve has cut rates in a dramatic move that will have a major impact on the American economy and could help determine who occupies the White House for the next four years. By cutting rates by half a per cent, the Fed has signalled it thinks the battle against the high inflation that has plagued the US …

Why is the US cutting interest rates? What does it mean for Australia?
6 months ago

Why is the US cutting interest rates? What does it mean for Australia?

ABC  

The US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates overnight in an important move for the global economy. Economists predicted the Fed would want to start cutting rates before inflation hits 2 per cent because there's a long lag time between interest rate movements and their effect on the economy. It means the Reserve Bank's cash rate target, which sits at …

Why the Reserve Bank will be forced to cut rates before year's end
6 months, 1 week ago

Why the Reserve Bank will be forced to cut rates before year's end

ABC  

Until just a few weeks ago, it seemed as though the developed world had pulled off what once was thought to be the impossible. And yet, despite this mounting evidence of a critical economic slump, there remains a rump of high-profile economists openly criticising the Reserve Bank of Australia's reluctance to push interest rates above 5 per cent. Parliament House …

The US is about to start cutting interest rates, so expect Australia to follow
6 months, 3 weeks ago

The US is about to start cutting interest rates, so expect Australia to follow

ABC  

Just three weeks ago, Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock declared interest rate cuts unlikely in the next six months. But if there was any doubt about what's going to happen to global interest rates, the US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell removed it on Saturday. Rate cuts by the US Fed and other central banks will create a near-irresistible pressure …

Why Reserve Bank of Australia boss Michele Bullock is refusing to consider cutting rates soon - even though mortgage holders in New Zealand, Canada, UK and EU have already had some relief
7 months ago

Why Reserve Bank of Australia boss Michele Bullock is refusing to consider cutting rates soon - even though mortgage holders in New Zealand, Canada, UK and EU have already had some relief

Daily Mail  

The woman who decides the fate of millions of mortgage holders has declared a rate cut won't be happening anytime soon - despite what other countries have done this year. Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock told a parliamentary hearing on Friday that Australia would not be copying the approach of other central banks that have cut rates this year, with …

RBA Governor delivers another blow to Aussies with a mortgage - and why you shouldn't expect rate cuts anytime soon
7 months, 2 weeks ago

RBA Governor delivers another blow to Aussies with a mortgage - and why you shouldn't expect rate cuts anytime soon

Daily Mail  

Australia's most powerful banker has aggressively scotched expectations of rate cuts by Christmas - despite global concerns about an American recession and weak local economic activity. In the media conference afterwards, Governor Michele Bullock stressed a rate cut wasn't happening soon - despite the Reserve Bank statement emphasing the risk of an economic slowdown and weaker gross domestic product 'Given …

RBA's Michelle Bullock says no cuts expected in next six months after leaving interest rates on hold
7 months, 2 weeks ago

RBA's Michelle Bullock says no cuts expected in next six months after leaving interest rates on hold

ABC  

The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept interest rates on hold at 4.35 per cent. "Financial markets have been volatile of late and the Australian dollar has depreciated," the RBA Board said in a statement. "In doing so, it will continue to pay close attention to developments in the global economy and financial markets, trends in domestic demand, and the …

With rates on hold again, the government and the public hold their breath. What comes next?
7 months, 2 weeks ago

With rates on hold again, the government and the public hold their breath. What comes next?

ABC  

The Reserve Bank's decision to leave interest rates unchanged is the latest in a series of fizzers. RBA governor Michele Bullock did take the unusual step of telling us we should not expect a rate cut in the next six months, taking us out to at least February next year. RBA Board keeps interest rates at 4.35 per cent Photo …

Why this past year has been one of the WORST ever for Australian businesses - as they go bust at a record rate
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Why this past year has been one of the WORST ever for Australian businesses - as they go bust at a record rate

Daily Mail  

Beautician Giulia Teaupa says she almost closed her business as the most aggressive interest rate hikes in a generation came close to crippling her financially. Giulia Teaupa, who runs Beautician Australia in the Sydney suburb of Miranda, was very close to insolvency as higher interest rates meant she had fewer customers But she was fortunate, having managed to stave off …

Why the Reserve Bank of Australia should hold off on interest rate hikes in August
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Why the Reserve Bank of Australia should hold off on interest rate hikes in August

ABC  

There's a curious thing about openness, communication and transparency. Because, despite recently showing a real reluctance to want to push interest rates even higher, she and her Reserve Bank of Australia colleagues have for the past two years made it abundantly clear that they were committed to hammering inflation into submission. Money markets right now have just a one-in-five chance …

ANZ Bank delivers a major blow to Aussies with a mortgage in latest forecast: Here's what it means for you
9 months ago

ANZ Bank delivers a major blow to Aussies with a mortgage in latest forecast: Here's what it means for you

Daily Mail  

Australian home borrowers are now being told they will have to wait until next year to get any interest rate relief. ANZ broke ranks last week to push back its forecasted start date for rate cuts until February 2025 ANZ last week became the first major bank to forecast a delay in Australian rate cuts, after monthly inflation data showed …

Interest rates are likely headed down, at least in Europe
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Interest rates are likely headed down, at least in Europe

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The European Central Bank plans …

Why further interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank won't fix Australia's inflation problem
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Why further interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank won't fix Australia's inflation problem

ABC  

If only there was a diagnosed condition called One Size Fits All syndrome. That's helped push one measure of price rises — core inflation — higher on a quarterly measure. Quick as a flash, that's sparked a renewed demand from some sections of the economics commentariat for further rate hikes to smash the evils of inflation once and for all. …

Interest rate cuts are in play, Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey says
1 year ago

Interest rate cuts are in play, Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey says

The Independent  

Sign up to our free money newsletter for investment analysis and expert advice to help you build wealth Sign up to our free money email for help building your wealth Sign up to our free money email for help building your wealth SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our …

Did the Reserve Bank hit the brakes too hard? Why Australia's economy is heading into reverse
1 year ago

Did the Reserve Bank hit the brakes too hard? Why Australia's economy is heading into reverse

ABC  

The softening-up process is already underway. There's now every possibility the GDP numbers could tip negative, giving the first real indication that Australia's economy is shrinking under the weight of 13 interest rate hikes in quick succession. The RBA lifted the cash rate to 4.35 per cent last November, but it hasn't fully flowed through to the whole economy. Prepare …

RBA governor Michele Bullock says she doesn't agree with IMF that Australia needs higher interest rates
1 year, 1 month ago

RBA governor Michele Bullock says she doesn't agree with IMF that Australia needs higher interest rates

ABC  

Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock says she doesn't agree with the International Monetary Fund that Australia should be lifting interest rates even higher. Earlier this week, the RBA board decided to keep Australia's cash rate steady for another six weeks, at 4.35 per cent, saying there were "encouraging signs" that inflation was falling as required. RBA keeps interest rates steady …

Commonwealth Bank forecasts massive interest rate cuts for Australians: Here's when the country's biggest bank predicts they will begin
1 year, 3 months ago

Commonwealth Bank forecasts massive interest rate cuts for Australians: Here's when the country's biggest bank predicts they will begin

Daily Mail  

The Commonwealth Bank is now forecasting six interest rate cuts in 2024 and 2025 - starting in September next year as Australian inflation moderates faster than predicted. Mr Halmarick is basing his prediction of 150 basis points of rate cuts, in 2024 and 2025, on inflation falling back to the top of the Reserve Bank's two to three per cent …

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