Rate cut on horizon amid fears of more stock turmoil

23 April

Investors tormented by weeks of tariff turmoil will hope for a quiet return from Easter as mortgage holders eye a rate cut on the horizon. Stocks in Australia and the US have clawed back ground in the past fortnight after US President Donald Trump...[Read More]

Tariff turmoil triggers Reserve Bank inflation fears

16 April

The threat of Donald Trump’s tariffs loomed large over the Reserve Bank as it made the call to keep interest rates on hold, warning that US measures could lead to higher inflation. Minutes from the central bank’s April 1 meeting, released on...[Read More]

Reserve Bank call for calm is welcome amid tariff drama

16 April

The treasurer backs Reserve Bank assurances the domestic economy is well-placed to deal with shockwaves from Donald Trump’s tariffs. The central bank’s governor Michele Bullock tried to allay concerns in a speech on Thursday night after a week...[Read More]

Working women key to future economic growth: bank boss

16 April

Women’s participation in the Australian economy has been remarkably transformed in the past 40 years but more progress is needed, the head of the central bank says. Michele Bullock made history in 2023 when she became the first woman appointed...[Read More]

Calls mount for RBA to intervene with jumbo rate cut

9 April

Odds are shortening for the Reserve Bank to cut rates by 50 basis points at its next meeting as global financial turmoil weighs heavily on Australians. Though most economists do not view an Australian recession as a realistic chance, the prospect of...[Read More]

US trade war may force all-out assault with rate cuts

9 April

US tariffs have wreaked havoc on financial markets but could force the Reserve Bank of Australia to deliver more mortgage relief sooner. ANZ Bank – until recently the most hawkish of the big four banks – on Friday upped its interest rate cut...[Read More]

RBA governor expected to address tariff impacts

9 April

There are decades where not much happens to the economy and there are weeks where decades happen. Last week was such a one. Rate cut expectations eased modestly after the Reserve Bank of Australia held the cash rate steady on Tuesday but then on...[Read More]

Two data prints and a Trump wildcard to decide rate cut

2 April

Donald Trump’s so-called ā€˜liberation day’ looms over the economic calendar but another date could have even greater implications for interest rates in Australia. By April 30 Australians could know whether the Reserve Bank is set to cut rates...[Read More]

ā€˜Cautious’ RBA holds rates steady ahead of election

2 April

Hopes remain high for mortgage relief in May despite a ā€œcautiousā€ Reserve Bank of Australia keeping interest rates on hold. As widely expected by economists, the RBA’s new monetary policy board held the cash rate steady at 4.1 per cent at its...[Read More]

Inflation falls in line with expectations

26 March

The Reserve Bank’s efforts to curb inflation are heading in the right direction, with monthly inflation continuing downward, but it likely won’t be enough to force a rate cut next week. The monthly consumer price index fell 10 basis points to...[Read More]

First-home buyers need more than a rate cut, banks say

19 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

19 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

12 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

5 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

5 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]