RBA
Rate hike ‘risks hurting’ fragile consumer sentiment
14 January
Waning consumer confidence could give the Reserve Bank pause as it mulls hiking interest rates at its next meeting. Household spending data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Monday showed consumers were gathering steam late last...[Read More]
High cash rates no barrier to housing boom, data shows
14 January
Three Reserve Bank interest rate cuts were widely credited with accelerating growth in property values last year, but historical data shows the most drastic price surges aren’t always due to falling borrowing costs. The 8.6 per cent increase in...[Read More]
RBA official’s advice to borrowers over inflation data
14 January
The Reserve Bank’s deputy governor has brushed off a surprisingly soft inflation print, reiterating to borrowers they should not expect any more mortgage relief soon. Inflation figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday...[Read More]
Oasis tour tunes up economy but clouds rate cut hopes
14 January
Australians splashed out on Black Friday sales, concerts and sporting events, putting household spending on track to exceed central bank forecasts. Household spending rose one per cent in November, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed on...[Read More]
Rates hike still on the table despite softer inflation
7 January
A softer-than-expected inflation result will boost the case for the Reserve Bank to hold interest rates steady, but there’s still plenty in the detail to suggest a February hike remains in play. Headline inflation slowed from 3.8 per cent to 3.4...[Read More]
Weaker housing market tipped as rate hike fears mount
7 January
The housing market is tipped to start weaker in 2026 with confidence dented by fears the Reserve Bank’s next move will be a rate hike, a leading property data provider says. Cotality’s national Home Value Index recorded the smallest gain in five...[Read More]
RBA reveals what’s needed to avert rate hikes in 2026
24 December
By the end of January Australians should have a clearer picture of whether they can expect interest rate hikes next year. Quarterly inflation data, due to be released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on January 28, will confirm or allay...[Read More]
Dishing the public dosh to force RBA’s hand on rates
24 December
There are two ways to fix Australia’s inflation problem, a leading economist for a top bank says. One, HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham, says is to restrain government spending, allowing for the private sector to continue its recent upsurge...[Read More]
Mixed employment report won’t make RBA’s job any easier
17 December
A messy jobs report will provide the Reserve Bank with little clarity as it tries to discern just how tight the labour market is. The central bank is piecing together data to get a clearer picture of the economy for a crucial interest rate decision...[Read More]
Plea for spending cuts as banks tip interest rate hikes
17 December
Economists have urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers to show greater spending restraint to take some heat out of the economy and spare Australians from more interest rate hikes. With the economy already pushing up against its speed limit, a modest recovery...[Read More]
Rate rise flagged as RBA does a Grinch with no Xmas cut
10 December
Mortgage holders should not expect any relief for the foreseeable future, Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock says, after leaving interest rates on hold. In a widely-anticipated, unanimous decision, the central bank’s monetary policy board kept...[Read More]
Australian economy builds as investment roars back
3 December
Surging investment in data centres and housing has driven Australia’s economic growth rate to its fastest pace in two years. The nation’s gross domestic product grew by 2.1 per cent over the year to September, the Australian Bureau of Statistics...[Read More]
Chinese economic slowdown at top of RBA’s mind
3 December
The Reserve Bank head says a wobble in the Chinese economy is top of the central bank’s mind, shortly after forecasters downgraded growth prospects for Australia’s largest trading partner. RBA governor Michele Bullock said a slowdown in China...[Read More]
Homebuyers at square one as price hikes eat rate cuts
3 December
Surging home prices have wiped away the benefits of three interest rate cuts to new buyers, new data reveals. Across Australia, home values grew by one per cent in November with the median dwelling now worth $888,941, property analytics firm...[Read More]
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]