RBA
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]
Inflation eases to 2.8 per cent in September quarter
31 October
Australia’s annual inflation rate has returned to the range targeted by the central bank, clocking in at 2.8 per cent in the September quarter. The headline annual rate was down a whole percentage point from the June quarter and landed broadly in...[Read More]
Petrol and energy relief drag headline inflation lower
31 October
Cheaper fuel and energy bill relief have helped drag headline inflation down to its lowest rate since early 2021. A 2.8 per cent rise in the September-quarter consumer price index marks a return to the Reserve Bank’s target range of two to three...[Read More]
Pandemic cash splash let inflation genie out of bottle
31 October
Unnecessary COVID-19 spending and Reserve Bank delay in lifting interest rates significantly worsened inflation, a review of Australia’s pandemic response finds. While supports like JobKeeper and HomeBuilder were desperately needed and an...[Read More]
Debit card surcharges could be scrapped in crackdown
17 October
Surcharges for payments made by debit card could soon be dumped, but business groups have warned there might be unintended consequences for consumers. The federal government said it was prepared to ban debit payment surcharges by 2026, pending a...[Read More]
Spring brings brighter outlook as rate hike fears fade
10 October
Consumers can see light at the end of the tunnel as fears of further interest rate hikes fade. As signs of improving consumer and business confidence emerged, minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia’s last meeting confirmed the case to lift...[Read More]
Power subsidies and cheaper petrol drive down inflation
26 September
A drop in inflation has been welcomed as a small respite for struggling shoppers but households are being warned prices are set to bounce around and not come down in a straight line. Inflation cooled to 2.7 per cent in the 12 months to August, down...[Read More]
Hints on state of economy as cost relief kicks in
25 July
Experts will scour the first trickle of financial data for early clues on the state of Australia’s economy since tax relief kicked in. The purchasing managers’ indexes for the manufacturing and services sectors land this week, as pay packets...[Read More]
Home lending slips but still well ahead over the year
10 July
New home lending remains far ahead of where it was a year ago despite a minor dip in May for property investors and owner-occupiers. Over the month, the Australian Bureau of Statistics logged a 1.7 per cent fall in all new housing loans, to $28.8...[Read More]
Retail sales rise 0.6 per cent as sales start early
4 July
An early start to end-of-financial-year sales lured in bargain-hunters last month, contributing to a larger-than-expected 0.6 per cent lift in retail sales. The monthly gain beat the 0.3 per cent month-on-month consensus forecast and followed a...[Read More]
Hotter-than-expected inflation leaves RBA in tight spot
27 June
An unexpectedly large jump in the monthly consumer price index is unwelcome news for the Reserve Bank of Australia in its lengthy inflation battle. The monthly consumer price index rose four per cent over the 12 months to May, above expectations and...[Read More]
Captain Chalmers lines up soft landing on narrow runway
13 June
Global headwinds will continue to buffet Australia’s economy as Treasurer Jim Chalmers sets a course for a final approach towards low inflation. Dr Chalmers is confident Australia remains on track for “a soft landing on a narrow runway”,...[Read More]
Monthly inflation ticks higher for second month in row
30 May
A larger-than-expected rise in prices was recorded last month, with consumers slugged with higher prices for essentials like groceries and health. For the second month in a row, the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ monthly consumer price index...[Read More]
Consumer spending the wildcard in rate hike uncertainty
23 May
Australian consumers have been saving rather than spending and a change in behaviour could complicate matters for the Reserve Bank, keeping interest rates higher for longer. The minutes from the central bank’s May meeting confirmed a rate hike was...[Read More]
Interest rates kept on hold despite inflation worries – leaving interest rates at 4.35 per cent
7 May
Borrowers have been spared more mortgage pain following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to keep interest rates on hold for the fourth meeting in a row. The board came to its decision on Tuesday after two days reviewing the the state of...[Read More]