Weak business investment underlines productivity battle
Encouraging productivity-boosting investment, such as infrastructure connecting regions with capital cities, is needed amid a slowdown in capital expenditure.
interest rate
Aussie shares at three-month high as big bank hits peak
Australia's banks have helped push the local stock market higher as the nation's most valuable company notches a share price record.
Restaurants on the brink as business failures plateau
Hospitality venues are feeling the pinch from high business costs and low spending, but lower interest rates should help ease the pain
Trump’s tariff ‘rollercoaster’ raises recession risk
Donald Trump's trade war has clouded economic forecasts as Australia's central bank seeks to thread the needle to avoid the nation tipping into a recession.
Aussie shares hit three-month high as streak continues
Australian shares have pushed higher each session this week as easing trade tensions and hopes of incoming interest rate cuts buoyed markets.
Full steam ahead for cash rate cut as inflation settles
Mortgage-holders are poised to bank an interest rate cut within weeks despite the latest inflation reading coming in slightly higher than expected.
Healthy inflation data should help ease mortgage pain
Quarterly numbers are expected to show inflation has drifted into the Reserve Bank's target range to set up a further interest rate cut.
Tariff turmoil triggers Reserve Bank inflation fears
Uncertainty over US tariffs and a brewing global trade war cast a shadow over the Reserve Bank of Australia as it deliberated on cutting interest rates.
Bank boss alert, not alarmed over Trump tariff fallout
As rate-cut bets see-saw, the Reserve Bank governor says Australia is well placed for overseas shocks in her first speech since Donald Trump's tariff thump.
Reserve Bank call for calm is welcome amid tariff drama
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Australia is still well-placed to navigate the economic uncertainty generated by Donald Trump's wide-ranging tariffs.
‘Cautious’ RBA on hold as election, tariffs threaten
The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the cash rate unchanged at 4.1 per cent, as global uncertainty clouds the economic outlook.
Sliding inflation builds hopes of interest rate cut
Another interest rate cut is firmly on the table with analysts expecting the Reserve Bank to seriously consider the move on the back of fresh inflation data.
Coalition, Labor miss the mark on $347b spending claim
The opposition's claim Labor has added $350 billion in spending omits the impact of inflation, while Labor's response misconstrues the coalition's planned cuts.
Coalition, Labor miss the mark on $347b spending claim
The opposition's claim Labor has added $350 billion in spending omits the impact of inflation, while Labor's response misconstrues the coalition's planned cuts.
Global uncertainty played a role in rate cut: RBA
Slowing inflation helped convince the Reserve Bank to cut rates at its last meeting but uncertainty over tariffs was also a factor, the deputy governor says.
Hazy outlook fuels Reserve Bank caution on disinflation
Caution has been urged over future cash rate changes as uncertainty looms large over global policy, the impacts of rate decisions and the labour market.
Wages slowdown boosts case for more rate cuts
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says ongoing growth in real wages is a good thing, but the RBA will be more encouraged that wage rises are showing signs of slowing.
Economists less confident of RBA rate cut than market
An AAP survey of 32 leading Australian economists has tipped the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates this week, but more than one in five remain unconvinced.
PM denies rate cut will impact election timing
Anthony Albanese remains coy on when Australians will head to the polls, after the Reserve Bank delivered cost-of-living relief for mortgage holders.
Fresh data to shed light on retail, housing strength
Australians are expected to have pulled back on retail spending after major sales, with the latest data unlikely to shift the dial for the Reserve Bank.
Big bank clips rates as RBA mulls next move
Strong retail spending figures are not expected to deter the Reserve Bank from cutting rates at its next meeting as one big bank lowers fixed-rate loans.
Last big bank holdout against February rate cut folds
With the stars aligned for a February interest rate cut, borrowers are now concerned with how many cuts the Reserve Bank will hand down.
Greens housing crusade fails to sway most tenant voters
Renters are more likely to support Labor or Liberal than the Greens despite the minor party running hard on issues faced by tenants, fresh polling shows.
Why the RBA should rethink key inflation assumption
The strength of Australia's labour market has kept the Reserve Bank from cutting interest rates but growing evidence suggests it's not as crucial as thought.
Consumers feel finances slide but hold hope for future
Easing inflation is increasing the likelihood of a near-term rate cut, which would provide a welcome boost to consumer sentiment in 2025.
Experts put money on early rate cut as spending slides
A decline in spending on household goods has bolstered hopes of an RBA rate cut, which would help boost dour consumer sentiment.
How China uncertainty could push back RBA rate cut
Unexpected jobs figures have diminished hopes of an interest rate cut in February but favourable inflation data could put lower mortgage costs back on the menu.
Bank chief doubts trade-war risk will cancel Christmas
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come has visited the RBA deputy, revealing little chance of the global economy plunging into another Depression.
No change to RBA forecasts after Trump election
The re-election of Donald Trump as US president could have "adverse implications" for the Australian economy but it has not changed the RBA's view on inflation.
Labour shortages still ‘number one’ concern: RBA
Firms are struggling to retain workers as activity from mining, infrastructure projects and even the 2032 Brisbane Olympics keeps demand for labour high.
Don’t put money on rates relief soon, borrowers warned
Mortgage-holders should not get their hopes up for near-term relief, says a hawkish Reserve Bank governor as the cash rate was again held at 4.35 per cent.