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Latest news: Interest Rate

Don't blame our spending for interest rates: treasurer

Don't blame our spending for interest rates: treasurer

A boost in retail spending and an end to energy rebates, not government spending, is behind an inflation rise, Jim Chalmer says.

Mortgage holders brace for hundreds more in repayments

Mortgage holders brace for hundreds more in repayments

Mortgage holders brace for hundreds more in repayments

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.

Why some economists go against the flow on RBA rate bet

Why some economists go against the flow on RBA rate bet

Why some economists go against the flow on RBA rate bet

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.

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Row over government role fuelling inflation, rate rise

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.

All eyes on crucial data ahead of first RBA meeting

All eyes on crucial data ahead of first RBA meeting

Home owners will wait with baited breath for the Reserve Bank of Australia to hand down its cash rate decision after the release of inflation figures.

Magic number that could decide an interest rate hike

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.

Complacency risk for economy as tariff wars re-emerge

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.

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High cash rates no barrier to housing boom, data shows

High cash rates no barrier to housing boom, data shows

High cash rates no barrier to housing boom, data shows

High cash rates no barrier to housing boom, data shows

Conventional wisdom that low interest rates are a precondition to property booms is not borne out by four decades of historical data.

Rate hike 'risks hurting' fragile consumer sentiment

Rate hike 'risks hurting' fragile consumer sentiment

Rate hike 'risks hurting' fragile consumer sentiment

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.

Robust jobs market risks adding fuel to inflation fire

Robust jobs market risks adding fuel to inflation fire

Robust jobs market risks adding fuel to inflation fire

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.

RBA reveals what's needed to avert rate hikes in 2026

RBA reveals what's needed to avert rate hikes in 2026

RBA reveals what's needed to avert rate hikes in 2026

RBA reveals what's needed to avert rate hikes in 2026

Two things must occur for the Reserve Bank to be satisfied that current interest rate levels can bring down inflation, board meeting minutes have revealed.

Dishing the public dosh to force RBA's hand on rates

Dishing the public dosh to force RBA's hand on rates

Dishing the public dosh to force RBA's hand on rates

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.

Mixed employment report won't make RBA's job any easier

Mixed employment report won't make RBA's job any easier

Mixed employment report won't make RBA's job any easier

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

Divided US central bank cuts rate, signals pause

Divided US central bank cuts rate, signals pause

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.

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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.

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.

AI could push up the RBA's neutral interest rate level

A Reserve Bank official says the neutral rate may have increased since the pandemic, which would limit how far rates could be cut without adding to inflation.

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Rate cut a shoo-in as Kiwi economy searches for spark

With an economy shrinking and unemployment at eight-year highs, New Zealand's central bank is all but certain to cut rates at its last meeting of the year.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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