RBA
First-home buyers need more than a rate cut, banks say
20 March
First-home buyers are still struggling to get into the market despite a surge in property interest after recent rate cuts. The Reserve Bank in February announced a 25 basis point cut in the official cash rate – the first reduction in more than...[Read More]
Tariffs and growth slump a concern for banking leaders
20 March
Australia’s key financial agencies are watching US developments with eagle eyes as US policies fan economic uncertainty and put key global financial regulation in the crosshairs. Growing unpredictability could impact The Reserve Bank of...[Read More]
Consumer confidence surges on back of interest rate cut
13 March
The Reserve Bank’s first rate cut since 2020 has delivered a welcome boost to the economic outlook, but Australian consumers are still more pessimistic than optimistic. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer confidence survey posted a strong...[Read More]
Australian economy to get pulse check, RBA minutes drop
6 March
Australia’s economic growth is expected to recover from its multi-decade lows when gross domestic product figures are revealed in the nation’s quarterly health check. The national accounts for December, due from the Australian Bureau of...[Read More]
RBA deputy denies rate cut contradicted own forecasts
6 March
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s deputy governor has defended the board’s decision to cut interest rates despite its own staff warning inflation would stay higher in the long term. In its February Statement on Monetary Policy, RBA economists...[Read More]
Underlying inflation up but good news on housing, rents
27 February
Australia has hit a bump on the road to disinflation but there are promising signs housing affordability challenges are easing. The Reserve Bank of Australia’s preferred measure of underlying inflation – the trimmed mean – rose 10 basis points...[Read More]
Hazy outlook fuels Reserve Bank caution on disinflation
27 February
The road to disinflation must be paved with caution, the Reserve Bank governor warns as global and domestic uncertainties threaten to derail Australia’s progress. Michele Bullock was questioned on a range of pressing topics in a colourful...[Read More]
Calls for more help after rate cut finally delivered
20 February
RESERVE BANK DELIVERS LONG-AWAITED RATE CUT * The Reserve Bank board decided on Tuesday to cut the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.1 per cent, after no change since November 2023 * It’s the first reduction in monetary policy since late 2020,...[Read More]
Tight jobs market to keep inflation above target: RBA
20 February
Inflation is no longer expected to return to the midpoint of the Reserve Bank’s two to three per cent target range in the foreseeable future, due to unexpected tightness in the labour market. The central bank updated its economic forecasts on...[Read More]
Dutton weighs in on RBA amid banana price rise warning
13 February
Inflation pressures could resurface if the Reserve Bank cuts rates prematurely, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has warned amid fears the north Queensland floods could push up grocery prices. The devastating floods, which have led to two deaths, have...[Read More]
Trump tariffs could boost case for rate cut: economists
13 February
Even if Australia is exempted from US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the indirect impact of a global trade war on the domestic economy is likely to be larger than any imposts on exports. With steel and aluminium exports to the US making up just...[Read More]
Big bank clips rates as RBA mulls next move
6 February
NAB has become the first big bank to reduce fixed-interest mortgage rates in 2025, as expectations of an impending Reserve Bank rate cut remain high, despite surprisingly strong retail spending. Rate tracking by comparison site Canstar shows NAB...[Read More]
Fresh data to shed light on retail, housing strength
5 February
Stronger-than-expected retail sales figures could weaken the case for a central bank interest rate cut but little can shake the market’s conviction that mortgage relief is around the corner. Traders were pricing in more than a 90 per cent chance...[Read More]
Interest rate cut hopes rise on soft inflation print
30 January
Interest rate relief could be around the corner after underlying inflation came in below expectations. Core inflation fell to 3.2 per cent in the year to December, opening the door for the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut the cash rate at its next...[Read More]
Why the RBA should rethink key inflation assumption
23 January
The Reserve Bank of Australia believes unemployment is still too low despite inflation and wages growth falling in recent months. Yet some economists argue that proves the central bank’s assumptions are wrong. Unemployment for the month of...[Read More]