RBA
New inflation reporting has the Reserve Bank excited
26 November
Wednesday was a momentous day for stats nerds. The Australian Bureau of Statistics released the nation’s first complete monthly consumer price index publication, bringing the nation in line with peer economies and giving the Reserve Bank a more...[Read More]
AI could push up the RBA’s neutral interest rate level
26 November
Artificial intelligence could push up Australia’s neutral interest rate level, making it harder for the Reserve Bank the lower rates further. The whereabouts of the neutral rate – the interest rate level that neither slows down nor speeds up the...[Read More]
Inflation surges as energy rebates run out of gas
26 November
Surging inflation has dashed hopes of one last rate cut and heightened expectations energy rebates will be extended. Expiring electricity subsidies helped drive up the annual consumer price index from 3.6 per cent to a 16-month high of 3.8 per cent...[Read More]
Australian economy ‘island of security’ in risky seas
19 November
The nation’s economy is an “island of security” says Treasurer Jim Chalmers despite less certainty about interest rate cuts among economists after stronger-than-expected jobs data. Dr Chalmers hailed low unemployment in a speech to investors...[Read More]
Insight on cash rate pause as economy runs at capacity
19 November
The Reserve Bank will shed further light on its decision to deny homeowners a further rate cut when it releases minutes from its last meeting earlier in November. Australia’s central bank kept interest rates on hold at 3.6 per cent after the...[Read More]
Rate cut hopes evaporate with healthy jobs figures
19 November
Hopes of more interest rate cuts have taken a hit after Australia’s unemployment rate plunged, reinforcing beliefs of a tight jobs market. Bonds traders lowered the odds of another Reserve Bank interest rate cut on Thursday and the ASX fell to its...[Read More]
Interest rate cuts might have less impact than thought
12 November
Changes to interest rates could have less of an impact on household spending than traditionally thought, which means the Reserve Bank might have to hike or cut harder to achieve its aims. Despite the RBA hiking interest rates in one of its sharpest...[Read More]
RBA bigwig reveals how economy can escape slow lane
12 November
Whether Australia takes the road to prosperity or stays in the slow lane depends largely on fixing productivity, according to a top Reserve Bank official. Australia’s economy faces three possible paths forward, RBA deputy governor Andrew Hauser...[Read More]
Economy heads for first major test since RBA rate hold
12 November
Job figures are set to take centre stage as economists continue to mull whether borrowers have seen their last Reserve Bank rate cut this cycle. In the first major piece of economic data since the RBA left interest rates on hold last week, the...[Read More]
Jump in forecast inflation clouds interest rate hopes
5 November
The Reserve Bank has drastically lifted inflation forecasts after admitting its last estimate was off the mark, likely ruling out rate cuts until late 2026 at the earliest. Released as its monetary policy board held interest rates steady on Tuesday,...[Read More]
The worrying trend that could put an end to rate cuts
5 November
In the shock inflation print that scared the Reserve Bank off cutting interest rates at its latest meeting, two items gave governor Michele Bullock particular cause for concern. After the central bank kept the cash rate steady at 3.6 per cent on...[Read More]
Pre-Christmas rate relief dashed after inflation spike
29 October
Home owners are unlikely to receive further relief on interest rates for the rest of the year after a surge in inflation. The latest figures showed headline inflation for the September quarter rose from 2.1 per cent to 3.2 per cent. It was the first...[Read More]
Bank heads to open up before ‘urgent’ rate cut talks
22 October
Central bank chiefs could set the table for an interest rate cut when they speak after a shock unemployment jump. Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock and key lieutenant Brad Jones will address events this week, a fortnight before they meet and...[Read More]
Shaving red tape, inflation key to economic growth
15 October
Price rises in parts of Australia’s economy remain difficult to contain as businesses struggle under the burden of excessive red tape, top economic officials warn. Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock has used her appearance at a parliamentary...[Read More]
Blow for borrowers as Reserve Bank curbs rate-cut hopes
15 October
The Reserve Bank is in no rush to cut interest rates again, the minutes from its last meeting reveal, as it waits for more economic data to guide its next steps. The central bank is worried inflation may be stronger than expected, driven partly by...[Read More]