Interest Rates

Headline inflation has remained steady but the Reserve Bank's preferred measure of consumer prices has fallen within the RBA's target band for the first time in more than three years.

US President Donald Trump has again rattled global investment markets, this time with his threats to interfere with the independence of America's central bank. 

A US-China trade war is a battle neither side can win. It's more a question as to the amount of pain either country can endure and which will emerge with the least damage.

With China's economy still being threatened, consumer confidence already falling and business facing extraordinary levels of uncertainty, the risk for Australia is that the economy could falter. 

The new US tariffs have wreaked havoc on global markets but there could be a silver lining for Australian homeowners, with the big four banks changing their bets on when the RBA could deliver the next rate cut.

Australian shares shed around $110 billion while the dollar slipped to new lows, as the Treasurer signalled rate cuts could be on the way.

Jim Chalmers has pointed to financial market bets that the Reserve Bank could cut interest rates up to four times this year.

The Reserve Bank's latest financial stability review identifies three key risks to financial stability, and Donald Trump's tariff announcement worsens all of them.

The RBA has said it may not cut interest rates again this year, but few are listening.

Angus Taylor has sought to lay the blame for the Reserve Bank's decision to keep cash rates steady at the federal government's feet, saying it's a result of economic mismanagement.

Jim Chalmers says the Reserve Bank will keep trade tensions in mind, while reiterating that the government will not negotiate on policy in the face of pressure from the US.

AMP Deputy Chief Economist Diana Mousina says the Reserve Bank is striking a neutral tone in its decision to keep rates on hold at 4.1%.

The RBA board has kept its cash rate target unchanged at 4.1 per cent this month, after delivering its first cut since November 2020 at its Feburary meeting.

The Coalition is promising to relax home lending rules if elected, to allow prospective buyers to borrow more. But will this actually make it easier for first home buyers to break into the market?

The haphazard and irresolute messaging on tariffs from the White House, the lack of open consultation and the constant shifts in position have created chaos on the world's financial markets. And none more so than in New York.

After a brief downturn home prices have rebounded to new heights, but analysts say growth is likely to be contained. Rents have also reached record highs but growth is expected to slow.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is due to meet for the second time in 2025 this week. Many people paying off a mortgage are hoping for a cut, but they may be waiting a while. 

With little risk of inflation spiking higher, the RBA could comfortably move to cut interest rates on Tuesday. But it's highly unlikely to do so, and it's worth exploring why.

Australia's unemployment rate remained steady at 4.1 per cent in February, as labour force participation declined from a record high.

The Reserve Bank's chief economist says current economic uncertainty, especially around US tariffs, makes forecasting and rate setting more difficult, as Macquarie Bank warns Donald Trump's economic policies run the risk of sparking a stock market crash.