Signs of softening spending could stay RBA’s rates hand
A surprise slide in consumer spending has thrown more uncertainty around the Reserve Bank's next move on interest rates.
interest rate
Forecasters dial up rate bets as banks prepare to hike
With the RBA showing stronger resolve to rein in inflation, banks will more likely than not be lifting home loan rates again in a few months, economists say.
Greens hold door open to capital gains tax reforms
Support from the Greens could hold the key to opening the door to capital gains tax changes as the government ponders reforms the opposition says it won't back.
Reserve Bank boss calls on businesses to invest smarter
Opposition MPs have grilled Reserve Bank officials over whether government spending and monetary policy errors contributed to the first rate hike in two years.
Private demand under the microscope after rate hike
Fresh data will reveal whether the strong momentum in private spending, which spurred the Reserve Bank to lift interest rates, has continued into 2026.
Mortgage holders brace for hundreds more in repayments
Two incorrect assumptions have set the Reserve Bank on track for a costly U-turn on interest rates, with borrowers facing steeper repayments on their mortgages.
Borrowed time: rate hike unlikely to be one-and-done
Mortgage holders could face back-to-back rate hikes after the Reserve Bank raised interest rates amid rising inflation pressures.
Row over government role fuelling inflation, rate rise
Spending blow-outs by the government will force the Reserve Bank to hike rates, critics say, but the treasurer argues the private sector is driving inflation.
Why some economists go against the flow on RBA rate bet
The Reserve Bank is widely tipped to become the first major central bank on Tuesday to U-turn from rate cuts to rate hikes in the post-COVID inflation era.
Magic number that could decide an interest rate hike
Traders now tip a greater-than-50 per cent chance of an interest rate hike in February, but some pundits are holding out hope for a Reserve Bank reprieve.
Robust jobs market risks adding fuel to inflation fire
Australia's labour market remains tight, with limited spare capacity keeping pressure on already-high inflation and shortening the odds of interest rate hikes.
Complacency risk for economy as tariff wars re-emerge
A deterioration in the job market could spare Australian borrowers interest rate hikes in 2026, an economist says.
Rate hike ‘risks hurting’ fragile consumer sentiment
A fresh survey of Australian consumer sentiment doesn't make for encouraging reading as the central bank weighs lifting the cash rate at its next meeting.
Dishing the public dosh to force RBA’s hand on rates
With the government unlikely to restrain public spending, the Reserve Bank will have to lift rates in 2026 to keep inflation under control, economists say.
February is live: RBA warns of impending rate hike
The average mortgage-holder's repayments could soon jump an extra $90 a month, with another Reserve Bank interest rate hike on the cards as early as February.
Mixed employment report won’t make RBA’s job any easier
Unemployment and jobs growth figures for November tell differing stories about the strength of the labour market, providing little clarity for the Reserve Bank.
Divided US central bank cuts rate, signals pause
The US central bank has reduced its key interest rate for the third time in a row but signalled that it may leave rates unchanged in the coming months.
Christmas rate relief off the table at last RBA meeting
The official cash rate is expected to remain on hold when the Reserve Bank decides on interest rates for the last time in 2025.
‘Very positive news’: ray of light post inflation shock
Equipment investment in Australia's IT sector almost doubled in three months amid a surge in data centre projects, which could help revive productivity growth.
Early Christmas for RBA with landmark inflation print
Inflation data will dominate the domestic economic dashboard, while the UK budget and New Zealand rate cuts are on the agenda abroad.
Dire housing affordability widening the wealth divide
An extraordinary rise in demand combined with constrained supply has created a boom in Australian home values and rents over the past five years.
RBA reveals what would rule out more interest rate cuts
Barring a material rise in unemployment or weaker-than-expected economic growth, mortgage holders can just about give up hope for any more interest rate relief.
Australian economy ‘island of security’ in risky seas
A shock fall in unemployment has wrong-footed analysts and dashed hopes of further interest rate cuts as the treasurer talks up Australia's economic strength.
Interest rate cuts might have less impact than thought
Mortgage holders were smashed by the fastest interest rate hiking cycle in decades post-pandemic, but a study has found it did little to dampen spending.
Pre-Christmas rate relief dashed after inflation spike
All four major banks predict mortgage holders will have to wait until 2026 for rate relief after a larger-than expected inflation rise.
The worrying trend that could put an end to rate cuts
The rising cost of new homes and services such as takeaway meals were key to the Reserve Bank's inflation miss in September and could rule out future rate cuts.
Rates cut back in the works as jobless figure spikes
An interest rate cut is back in the running on Melbourne Cup day as surprising unemployment figures offer borrowers hope of a home-loan victory.
Bank heads to open up before ‘urgent’ rate cut talks
Surprising unemployment data has many expecting interest rates are in for another trim, with two key figures in that decision set to give their reaction.
Cup Day rate cut in doubt as RBA nears final straight
The odds are lengthening on an interest rate cut on Melbourne Cup Day, as the Reserve Bank adopts a hawkish tone and inflation steps up the pace.
Australia’s luck running out despite budget bright spot
Australia's budget deficit for last financial year ended up being narrower than expected but younger workers will still be on the hook for a decade of red ink.
Rate cut run may be over as inflation raises concerns
Hopes for more rate cuts are fading after the Reserve Bank of Australia took a hawkish turn as it held interest rates steady in a widely-expected move.