Oliver’s insights – Another hawkish RBA hold at 4.35% – expect one more hike later this year
12 August
Key points The RBA left the cash rate on hold at 4.35% for the second meeting in a row. Some softer than expected readings for underlying inflation, jobs and home prices allowed it to remain in wait and see mode as it “assesses” the impact of...[Read More]
‘Hawkish’ RBA open to more hikes after holding rates
12 August
The Reserve Bank has left the door open to more interest rate hikes as it held the benchmark lending rate steady for a second straight meeting.Falling house prices and lower-than-expected inflation helped convince the central bank’s nine-member...[Read More]
Households to bear the brunt of sluggish productivity
12 August
Mortgage holders may have been spared more rate pain by the Reserve Bank but Australia’s chronically weak productivity growth means households will continue to suffer.As the RBA board held interest rates steady for a second-straight meeting, it...[Read More]
Investment markets and key developments – Weekly market update – 07/08/2026
11 August
Global shares had another ripper week with major share markets reaching new all-time highs, before retracing slightly on Thursday as the Iran “deal” seems further away than previously thought. US shares rose 3.6% over the week, with...[Read More]
Surprise inflation drop eases chance of RBA rate hikes
29 July
Falling inflation levels have defied Reserve Bank predictions, alleviating fears another interest-rate hike is imminent.The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed headline annual inflation falling to 3.8 per cent in June, down from four...[Read More]
‘Build resilience’: refinery touted but discount to end
29 July
Australia’s fuel security could soon be bolstered by a new refinery, but questions have been raised about the business case for the facility.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to look into building Australia’s third oil refinery in...[Read More]
How trust in the RBA could help keep interest rates low
22 July
As people lose faith in institutions across the globe, a report shows maintaining trust in the Reserve Bank can help keep inflation under control.A survey released by the central bank on Wednesday showed people who have higher trust in the RBA are...[Read More]
Jobs data tops economic agenda as Iran war re-escalates
22 July
Jobs data is expected to show ongoing resilience in Australia’s labour market but renewed conflict in the Middle East could bring more bad news for the domestic economy.The unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 4.4 per cent in June...[Read More]
Trump threatens to shoot down signs of economic rebound
15 July
Just as businesses and consumers were beginning to grow more confident, a return to arms in the Middle East risks sending sentiment back to the doldrums.Business confidence climbed nine points in June, despite warnings the federal budget would smash...[Read More]
Tax push renders budget surplus forecasts ‘unrealistic’
15 July
More tax cuts for workers would keep the budget in deficit beyond the next decade, the agency that assesses the nation’s finances warns.The outlook for the federal budget has improved over the past year, despite economic headwinds from the Middle...[Read More]