Borrowed time: rate hike unlikely to be one-and-done
4 February
Borrowers have borne the brunt of a resurgence in inflation, with the Reserve Bank lifting interest rates and leaving the door open for more.
The RBA’s monetary policy board lifted the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85 per cent in a unanimous...[Read More]
Grim forecasts for Aussie inflation and unemployment
4 February
Australia is set for higher inflation, faster price growth and lower real income growth, the Reserve Bank has predicted in grim new forecasts.
Released alongside the central bank’s decision to lift interest rates by 0.25 percentage points on...[Read More]
RBA hikes interest rates six months after last cut by 25 basis points, board lifted the cash rate to 3.85 per cent
3 February
The Reserve Bank of Australia has hiked interest rates by 25 basis points, becoming the first major central bank to go from rate cuts to rate hikes following the post-COVID inflation spike.
In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, the RBA’s monetary...[Read More]
Rate rise pain all but certain after inflation shock
28 January
All four big banks are warning borrowers to brace for an interest rate hike after core inflation jumped above the Reserve Bank’s forecasts.
Economists at Westpac and ANZ on Wednesday dropped their calls for the RBA to stay on hold in February...[Read More]
Healthy jobs market spells rate pain for borrowers
28 January
Analysts are warning mortgage holders an interest rate rise could be just weeks away, after surprisingly strong jobs figures heightened the Reserve Bank of Australia’s concerns about inflation.
Forecasters were taken off guard by the resilience of...[Read More]
Key RBA concern eases ahead of crucial inflation print
28 January
Australian firms are noticing an easing in a key business pressure, taking some steam out of calls for the Reserve Bank to hike interest rates.
But while capacity utilisation cooled slightly in December, it remains above the long-run average and...[Read More]
IMF warns of AI bubble risk to global growth outlook
21 January
Australia is set for longer, higher inflation, an influential global economic body has remarked, as it warns of a “prolonged correction” if the AI bubble bursts.
The International Monetary Fund’s forecast for Australia’s economic growth was...[Read More]
Hot or not? Strong spending complicates rate picture
21 January
Household spending continues to build momentum, heightening expectations of a Reserve Bank rate hike.
After official figures released on Monday showed stronger-than-expected spending in November, data from Commonwealth Bank revealed no let-up in...[Read More]
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]
