The RBA is preparing for all economic scenarios, including an interest rate hike
3 months, 2 weeks 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 by 2026 would be in doubt. Tuesday saw the financial markets raise their expectations of a February interest rate cut after the RBA's post-meeting statement said it was "gaining some confidence that inflation is moving sustainably towards target". "Yes, I think for them to move on rates they're still going to be placing close attention to those inflation numbers and at the moment inflation should be coming down they might be expecting that corresponds to an increase in the unemployment rate, reflecting a slowdown in the economy, and that's not what we see in the labour market numbers at the moment," Canberra University Associate Professor Leonora Risse said.

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History of this topic

BOJ’s Deputy Chief Hints at More Rate Hikes, Without Rushing
3 weeks, 2 days ago

BOJ’s Deputy Chief Hints at More Rate Hikes, Without Rushing

Live Mint  

-- Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida signaled that the benchmark interest rate remains on a gradual upward path, in remarks that may quell speculation of an early move. “In this regard, the key point of the outlook is that the bank expects the 2% price stability target to be achieved.” Uchida said officials will have to monitor the …

Australia, NZ dlrs scale two-month highs, RBA hawkish on easing
1 month, 1 week 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’s Hauser Says Rate Pause Would Have Seen CPI Undershoot
1 month, 1 week ago

RBA’s Hauser Says Rate Pause Would Have Seen CPI Undershoot

Live Mint  

-- Australia’s central bank assessed that keeping interest rates unchanged this year would have resulted in core inflation going below the 2.5% midpoint of its target, Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser said. As a result, the board is “rigorously” focused on cooling prices and success over inflation is “not a done deal,” said Hauser, who is the first foreign official to …

Why the Reserve Bank poured cold water on future interest-rate-cut expectations
1 month, 1 week ago

Why the Reserve Bank poured cold water on future interest-rate-cut expectations

ABC  

It didn't take long for the spectre of Oliver Twist to appear. No sooner had Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock taken the lectern to confirm the news most Australians wanted to hear, that interest rates would be cut for the first time in more than four years, than the obvious question hung in the air. Relief for borrowers as RBA …

RBA delivers first rate cut since 2020
1 month, 1 week 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, 1 week 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, 1 week 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, 1 week 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 …

How banks are responding to Reserve Bank decision to cut interest rates
1 month, 1 week ago

How banks are responding to Reserve Bank decision to cut interest rates

ABC  

Australia's major banks have already announced rate cuts following the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to cut interest rates for the first time in four years. NAB announced it would cut home loan interest rates by 0.25 per cent, with Personal Bank group executive Ana Marinkovic saying they were "very pleased" with the decision. Variable home loan interest rates will …

How many more interest rate cuts is the RBA likely to make?
1 month, 1 week ago

How many more interest rate cuts is the RBA likely to make?

ABC  

The Reserve Bank has finally delivered the rate cut many highly indebted mortgage borrowers have been crying out for. The bank's educated guesses of the neutral cash rate range from as low as around 1.5 per cent to nearly 4 per cent depending on which economic model and set of assumptions it uses. It could be that today's cash rate …

Reserve Bank cuts interest rates for the first time since November 2020
1 month, 1 week 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 …

Reserve Bank cuts interest rates to 4.1 per cent after 13 rate hikes — as it happened
1 month, 1 week ago

Reserve Bank cuts interest rates to 4.1 per cent after 13 rate hikes — as it happened

ABC  

Whether you've been hanging out with us all day or tuned in this afternoon, thanks so much for spending some of your Tuesday with us. But if you're hungry for even more interest rates content tonight, you're in luck. On 7.30, host Sarah Ferguson will speak to Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Westpac chief economist Luci Ellis about the RBA's decision …

Why the Reserve Bank has little option but to cut interest rates
1 month, 1 week 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 …

When will interest rates go down? Banks are preparing for the RBA's cash rate decision
1 month, 1 week ago

When will interest rates go down? Banks are preparing for the RBA's cash rate decision

ABC  

The Reserve Bank of Australia is meeting and banks are forecasting an imminent cash rate cut. The cash rate target is set by the RBA and influences how much commercial banks charge customers for borrowing money — it's currently at 4.35 per cent. All of the big four banks — ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac — reckon the RBA …

When does the RBA meet, what's expected to happen to interest rates and how much could you save?
1 month, 3 weeks ago

When does the RBA meet, what's expected to happen to interest rates and how much could you save?

ABC  

There could soon be relief for households with a mortgage, with economists predicting an interest rate cut when the Reserve Bank board meets in February. The board's decision to cut, increase or keep the official cash rate unchanged will be announced shortly after the meeting concludes at 2:30pm AEDT on February 18. Loan size Repayments decrease $600,000 -$92 $750,000 -$115 …

Has the RBA got any choice but to cut interest rates in February?
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Has the RBA got any choice but to cut interest rates in February?

ABC  

There's something called a "momentum trade" on financial markets. Two of the big four banks had already tipped a February rate cut ahead of Wednesday's numbers, but Westpac has now joined them and NAB is reviewing its position. If the RBA chooses not to take its foot off the brake by keeping rates steady at 4.35 per cent on February …

Rate cut chances increase after inflation slows in final quarter of 2024
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Rate cut chances increase after inflation slows in final quarter of 2024

ABC  

The odds of an interest rate cut next month have increased, with official figures showing the Reserve Bank of Australia's preferred measure of inflation fell to 3.2 per cent over the year to December. The more volatile headline inflation figure came in at 0.2 per cent for the December quarter and 2.4 per cent for the year, down from a …

China central bank is moving faster towards its policy limits
2 months, 2 weeks ago

China central bank is moving faster towards its policy limits

Live Mint  

* PBOC expected to cut rates more aggressively this year * Cenbank dropped prudent stance but may have to stay cautious * Bond buying suspension highlights PBOC constraints * Room for more rate, RRR cuts rapidly narrowing * More easing also raises risk of asset bubbles By Kevin Yao BEIJING, - China's central bank is expected to deploy its most …

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 …

Interest rates, exporters and Reserve Bank intervention: There's a lot at stake as the Australian dollar weakens
2 months, 3 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
3 months 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 …

RBA Is More Confident on CPI, But Too Early to Declare Victory
3 months ago

RBA Is More Confident on CPI, But Too Early to Declare Victory

Live Mint  

-- Australia’s central bank is more confident that inflation is moving sustainably toward target but it’s still too soon to conclude the battle is won given a recent pick-up in consumption and a still-tight labor market, minutes of the December meeting showed. The Reserve Bank’s board discussed scenarios in which future policy would be eased to boost economic growth or …

Dollar firms as US rates outlook dominates
3 months ago

Dollar firms as US rates outlook dominates

Live Mint  

By Rae Wee SINGORE, - The dollar was on the front foot on Tuesday as the prospect of higher-for-longer U.S. interest rates remained top of investors' minds, leaving other currencies struggling near milestone lows. The Bank of Japan last week kept rates on hold and stayed vague on when it could next raise rates, an outcome which was in stark …

NZ recession and Federal Reserve rate cut sink Aussie dollar but show the RBA dodged a bullet
3 months, 1 week 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 …

RBA forecast scenarios include interest rate hikes
3 months, 2 weeks ago

RBA forecast scenarios include interest rate hikes

ABC  

Samantha Donovan: To interest rates now, and while most analysts think another hike is highly unlikely, the Reserve Bank has indicated today nothing will be off the table next year when it comes to monetary policy. David Taylor: Betashare's chief economist, David Bassanese, says the Reserve Bank also has to factor in higher levels of government spending and how that's …

Reserve Bank keeps interest rates on hold in December but leaves door open to a February cut
3 months, 2 weeks 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, 3 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 …

The politics of the RBA's independence means a struggle over Australia's economic outlook is being fought in the shadows
3 months, 4 weeks ago

The politics of the RBA's independence means a struggle over Australia's economic outlook is being fought in the shadows

ABC  

When the prime minister fronted the media just after 8am on Friday, the sense of elation was palpable. We now live in a world where the sainted independence of the RBA is such that the treasurer can't even be seen to be giving it a few "helpful suggestions" about interest rates. He says for the RBA's wage forecast to be …

RBA unlikely to lower interest rates in 2024 despite inflation at its lowest level since July 2021
4 months ago

RBA unlikely to lower interest rates in 2024 despite inflation at its lowest level since July 2021

ABC  

Australia's inflation rate remained steady in October, with analysts tipping this price data won't change the Reserve Bank's mind to hold interest rates at their highest level in about a decade until at least early 2025. The inflation rate held at 2.1 per cent annually, with the rising price of food, alcohol, cigarettes and recreational activities keeping it up, while …

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 …

Sharply rising bond rates could stem Wall Street's 'relief rally' and push interest rate cuts further into the future
4 months, 3 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, 3 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 …

Review finds 'no evidence' gunshots were deliberately edited into commando footage — as it happened
Trending News
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Review finds 'no evidence' gunshots were deliberately edited into commando footage — as it happened

ABC  

Treasurer Jim Chalmers answers a questions on the RBA interest rates. Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, asks: "What does the decision taken today by the Reserve Bank mean for Australians and what progress is being made in the fight against inflation and how does this compare to other approaches?" "Secondly, it reflects the progress that we are making together in …

Reserve Bank keeps interest rates at 4.35pc for eighth-straight meeting despite lower inflation
4 months, 3 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 …

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 …

No RBA rate cut yet, but Governor Bullock is about to find the pressure overwhelming
6 months ago

No RBA rate cut yet, but Governor Bullock is about to find the pressure overwhelming

ABC  

Who'd want to be Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock? Reserve Bank keeps interest rates on hold at 4.35pc Photo shows Reserve Bank of Australia generic The RBA has kept interest rates on hold at 4.35 per cent, saying inflation is still too high to start cutting rates. The Reserve Bank board has decided to keep the cash rate steady at …

When will interest rates go down? Here's what you need to know ahead of today's RBA meeting
6 months ago

When will interest rates go down? Here's what you need to know ahead of today's RBA meeting

ABC  

The Reserve Bank of Australia board will announce its September cash rate decision on Tuesday at 2:30pm AEST. But when the RBA changes the cash rate target, interest rates for mortgages don't automatically change — the banks decide that. Ms Mousina says economic data since the RBA's last meeting shows: wages growth slowing job growth remaining solid the unemployment rate …

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

Asian stocks follow Wall Street's rate-cut rally higher, as BOJ stands pat
6 months, 1 week ago

Asian stocks follow Wall Street's rate-cut rally higher, as BOJ stands pat

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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

How the US Federal Reserve rate cut could impact the race for the White House between Harris and Trump
6 months, 1 week 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, 1 week 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, 2 weeks 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 RBA is making confusion about inflation and the cost of living even worse
6 months, 4 weeks ago

The RBA is making confusion about inflation and the cost of living even worse

ABC  

There's a paradox about the way we respond to threats to the cost of living. At the same time, when the cost of living climbs enough to push inflation beyond the Reserve Bank's target, the bank pushes up interest rates in an attempt to drive measured inflation down. Sharp interest rate increases are a problem The response of the Reserve …

The US is about to start cutting interest rates, so expect Australia to follow
7 months 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 some banks are cutting interest rates for term deposits and home loans when the Reserve Bank isn't
7 months ago

Why some banks are cutting interest rates for term deposits and home loans when the Reserve Bank isn't

ABC  

Some of Australia's biggest banks found themselves in the headlines this week after confirming that they were reducing a handful of their interest rates. The rate cuts however weren't universally applied: they affected term deposits with some banks and home loans with others, and came days after the Reserve Bank of Australia reiterated it wasn't rushing to lower interest rates …

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, 1 week 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 …

The RBA expects to keep interest rates on hold. It's bad news for mortgage holders and a reality check for the government
7 months, 2 weeks ago

The RBA expects to keep interest rates on hold. It's bad news for mortgage holders and a reality check for the government

ABC  

It was the understatement of the week. When Reserve Bank governor Michelle Bullock popped the bubble of anticipation around an interest rate cut any time soon, she acknowledged "this is not what people want to hear". The idea of a rate cut before the end of the year "doesn't align" with the RBA board's current thinking. "I think it's hard …

The RBA says don't expect interest rate cuts for six months. Here's why it could be sooner
7 months, 3 weeks ago

The RBA says don't expect interest rate cuts for six months. Here's why it could be sooner

ABC  

Days ago, at the start of last week, there was talk of a Reserve Bank rate hike. So despite what the Reserve Bank governor said on Tuesday, here's why so many people expect interest rates will have to come down — possibly sooner than predicted. It was 3.6 per cent by March, then 3.8 per cent in June, and will …

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