RBA
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Strong jobs growth data deflates February rate cut hope
23 January
Australia’s jobs market continues to show “remarkable” resilience with stronger than expected employment growth tempering hopes of a February rate cut. About 56,000 jobs were added to the economy in December, the Australian Bureau of...[Read More]
Consumer spending plunge brightens hopes of rate cut
16 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]
Consumers feel finances slide but hold hope for future
16 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
9 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]
Rate cuts on horizon in mixed 2025 for the economy
2 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]
Economy yet to shake malaise as growth misses forecasts
5 December
Australia’s economy is still growing – but only just – though economists are unconvinced the weaker-than-expected data will bring forward keenly-anticipated interest rate cuts. Full-year growth fell to 0.8 per cent in September, down from one...[Read More]
Christmas rate cut hopes slayed as inflation holds firm
28 November
Australia’s inflation rate may have undershot expectations to hold at the bottom of the central bank’s target band but borrowers should not expect interest rate cuts just yet. The annual headline inflation rate has held at 2.1 per cent in...[Read More]
Annual inflation rate hangs on at 2.1 per cent
28 November
Australia’s annual headline inflation rate has held at 2.1 per cent in October for a second month, coming in a little below expectations. Despite clocking a second month at the bottom of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s two-three per cent target...[Read More]
Consumer confidence rebound wobbles following Trump win
14 November
A second Donald Trump presidency has dented an otherwise confident outlook for Australian consumers, buoyed by improving finances and the diminishing likelihood of interest rate hikes. Pessimists still outnumber optimists in the Westpac-Melbourne...[Read More]