RBA
Consumer spending plunge brightens hopes of rate cut
15 January
Australians pulled back sharply on purchasing household goods after bringing forward spending during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Consumer spending fell 1.8 per cent in December after a rise in November, with financially stretched households...[Read More]
As dollar dips towards 60c, tariff threat may Trump all
15 January
The odds of a February interest rate cut have been slashed but the falling Australian dollar could spell trouble for households hoping for an overseas holiday. The Aussie dollar fell to 61.85 US cents on Monday – its lowest level against the...[Read More]
Consumers feel finances slide but hold hope for future
15 January
Australians are feeling increasingly pessimistic about their household finances even as signs suggest the economy is set to improve. Consumer confidence slipped in the latest survey from Westpac and the Melbourne Institute, with sentiment declining...[Read More]
Early rate-cut hopes alive as core inflation eases
8 January
Mortgage-holders and a prime minister in election mode are hoping an encouraging step down in underlying inflation will pave the way for a February interest rate cut. Economists were generally heartened by official monthly inflation numbers, though...[Read More]
Underlying inflation heading in right direction
8 January
Further progress on underlying inflation bodes well for borrowers hurting as elevated interest rates keep repayments high. Wednesday’s figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics further show consumers are enjoying reprieve at the petrol pump...[Read More]
Rate cuts on horizon in mixed 2025 for the economy
1 January
Australians have endured taxing economic conditions in the past calendar year, but there is cause for cautious hope in 2025. Long-awaited interest rate cuts are broadly expected in the first half of the year, providing household budgets with...[Read More]
Watching for doves in Reserve Bank’s Christmas reveal
25 December
Rate watchers will be hoping the Reserve Bank has left them an early present in meeting minutes released on Christmas eve. The RBA kept rates on hold at its December meeting but a dovish tilt detected in its commentary raised expectations relief for...[Read More]
How China uncertainty could push back RBA rate cut
18 December
A bumper Chinese stimulus package could convince the Reserve Bank of Australia to push back the start of its monetary easing cycle after shock jobs figures slashed hopes of a February rate cut. A drastically stronger than predicted Australian Bureau...[Read More]
The women who could soon influence your mortgage
18 December
An economics professor and a regional bank chief will have a say on Australians’ mortgage rates after the biggest shake-up to the operations of the Reserve Bank of Australia in decades. Australian National University professor Renee Fry-McKibbin...[Read More]
Early rates cut all but dashed as unemployment dips
18 December
Prospects of a February interest rate cut have taken a tumble after a surprise dip in Australia’s unemployment rate. The jobless rate fell from 4.1 per cent to 3.9 per cent in November, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on Thursday,...[Read More]
Bank chief doubts trade-war risk will cancel Christmas
11 December
Australia’s central bank has no great expectations of hard times in 2025, despite the threat of a global trade war casting a pall over Christmas celebrations. Channelling Charles Dickens in a Christmas Carol-themed speech in Sydney, Reserve Bank...[Read More]