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Latest news: Interest Rate

Signs of softening spending could stay RBA's rates hand

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.

Private demand under the microscope after rate hike

Private demand under the microscope after rate hike

Private demand under the microscope after rate hike

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.

Reserve Bank boss calls on businesses to invest smarter

Reserve Bank boss calls on businesses to invest smarter

Reserve Bank boss calls on businesses to invest smarter

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.

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Greens hold door open to capital gains tax reforms

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.

Forecasters dial up rate bets as banks prepare to hike

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.

Borrowed time: rate hike unlikely to be one-and-done

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.

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.

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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.

Row over government role fuelling inflation, rate rise

Row over government role fuelling inflation, rate rise

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

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

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

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.

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.

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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

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

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

Unemployment and jobs growth figures for November tell differing stories about the strength of the labour market, providing little clarity for the Reserve Bank.

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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.

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.

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.

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Politics Australia United States of America Economy, Business and Finance New Zealand Housing and Urban Planning Australian Capital Territory Economy Consumer Goods Business Construction and Property Retail Tariff Employment Budgets and Budgeting Central Bank Earnings Labour Interest Rate Inflation and Deflation

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