RBA interest rates
News

A hefty dose of RBA financial therapy

- February 9, 2024 3 MIN READ

A tumultuous week for finance nerds like me who for years have excitedly marked the first Tuesday of the month in our calendars as “Reserve Bank Board Meeting Day”. This week was the last RBA board meeting on the first Tuesday of the month… the next one will be Tuesday March 19 as the RBA… Read more »

Interest rates on hold
News

No more rate hikes — but they won’t come down anytime soon

- February 2, 2024 3 MIN READ

For weeks I’ve been pointing toward Wednesday’s December quarter Consumer Price Index (CPI) announcement as being crucial to setting the tone for interest rates this year.  Well, the result was really encouraging and basically signalled the top of this interest rate cycle. The headline CPI rose 0.6 per cent for the December quarter and 4.1… Read more »

Impact of inflation on households
News

Behind the headlines: what rising interest rates really mean

- November 17, 2023 4 MIN READ

The Reserve Bank has been constantly saying that as it monitors the economy for any further need for interest rate increases, apart from inflation its focus is on jobs, household spending and the property market. This week we received key data on all these areas. First up jobs. Unemployment up but job creation still strong… Read more »

RBA inflation down fast
News

RBA wants inflation to slow — fast

- October 20, 2023 3 MIN READ

Comments in the latest RBA Board minutes shows they don’t just want inflation to slow, they want it down at a faster rate.  Mark this Wednesday in your calendar. That’s the day the September quarter Consumer Price Index (CPI) will be released at 11.30am. That single figure will determine whether the Reserve Bank lifts interest… Read more »

RBA keeps interest rates steady
News

Business as usual at the RBA

- October 6, 2023 3 MIN READ

RBA Board meeting week and it was steady as she goes. A change in RBA Governor from Philip Lowe to Michele Bullock made no difference at all… and I suspect that was the point. There was all sorts of talk in the lead up to the meeting about whether Michele would stamp her own unique… Read more »

Is this the end of interest rate rises?
News

Is this the end of interest rate rises?

- July 7, 2023 3 MIN READ

Yes, it’s that time of the month when the Reserve Bank decides your mortgage repayments. This time they’ve given us a breather. On Tuesday, the RBA kept official interest rates on hold at 4.1 per cent. BUT (yes, I deliberately put this in capitals) don’t think this is the end of the rate hike cycle.… Read more »

RBA advice has been diabolical
News

The RBA’s advice has been diabolically bad

- July 22, 2022 3 MIN READ

Well, where to start when it comes to interest rates and the Reserve Bank (RBA)? Major speeches this week from the RBA Governor and Deputy Governor, plus the Federal Treasurer orders an independent “review” of the RBA’s performance, governance, mandate and inflation settings. Let’s start with the review. As you know, I’ve been scathing of… Read more »