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Interest Rates Still On Hold As Reserve Bank Maintains 2% Cash Rate

Oct 06, 2015

The Reserve Bank’s cash rate remains unchanged at 2%, following today’s meeting of the bank’s board.

The rate was last changed in May 2015, when it was cut by 0.25% to 2%.

In a statement on behalf of the Board, the bank’s Governor, Glenn Stevens, noted that “other major central banks are continuing to ease policy”. He said: “In Australian, the available information suggest that moderate expansion in the economy continues.”

“Low interest rates are acting to support borrowing and spending,” Stevens said.

Statement from Glenn Stevens, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 2.0 per cent.

The global economy is expanding at a moderate pace, with some further softening in conditions in China and east Asia of late, but stronger US growth. Key commodity prices are much lower than a year ago, in part reflecting increased supply, including from Australia. Australia’s terms of trade are falling. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Reserve Bank Tagged With: , ,

In Shadow Of Greek Crisis, Reserve Bank Leaves Cash Rate At 2%

Jul 07, 2015

In the shadow of the Greek debt crisis, the Reserve Bank has left interest rates unchanged, following today’s monthly board meeting.

The cash rate will stay at 2%. The rate was last changed in May when it was cut by 25 basis points.

Greece defaulted on a debt repayment last week. A referendum last Sunday voted 60% against further austerity measures imposed on Greece by the European Union.

In its decision, the RBA noted that: “The Australian dollar has declined noticeably against a rising US dollar over the past year, though less so against a basket of currencies. Further depreciation seems both likely and necessary, particularly given the significant declines in key commodity prices.”

Statement from Glenn Stevens, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 2.0 per cent.

The global economy is expanding at a moderate pace, but some key commodity prices are much lower than a year ago. This trend appears largely to reflect increased supply, including from Australia. Australia’s terms of trade are falling nonetheless. [Read more…]

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No Change In Interest Rates; Cash Rate Stays At 2.0%

Jun 02, 2015

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left interest rates unchanged at its monthly meeting today.

Last month’s historic low cash rate of 2.0% stays in force for the time being.

Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor of the Reserve Bank.

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 2.0 per cent. [Read more…]

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Reserve Bank Cuts Cash Rate To Historic Low Of 2%

May 05, 2015

The Reserve Bank has cut interest rates for the second time this year. The cash rate will fall 0.25% to 2.0%.

In its announcement today, the Reserve says: “The Board judged that the inflation outlook provided the opportunity for monetary policy to be eased further, so as to reinforce recent encouraging trends in household demand.”

Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

At its meeting today, the Board decided to lower the cash rate by 25 basis points to 2.0 per cent, effective 6 May 2015.

The global economy is expanding at a moderate pace, but commodity prices have declined over the past year, in some cases sharply. These trends appear largely to reflect increased supply, including from Australia. Australia’s terms of trade are falling nonetheless. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Economy, Reserve Bank Tagged With: , ,

Reserve Bank Cuts Interest Rates By 0.25%

Feb 03, 2015

The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the cash rate by 0.25% to 2.25%.

It is the first movement in interest rates for eighteen months. The bank cut rates by 0.5% during 2013 but made no changes in 2014.

In a statement, the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Glenn Stevens, said commodity prices have continued to decline and the price of oil has fallen significantly in recent months. Lower energy prices will strengthen global output and lower inflation. However, the bank says growth in Australia “is continuing at a below-trend pace”.

Stevens says the interest rate cut will “is expected to add some further support to demand, so as to foster sustainable growth and inflation outcomes consistent with the target”.

Statement from Glenn Stevens, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision

At its meeting today, the Board decided to lower the cash rate by 25 basis points to 2.25 per cent, effective 4 February 2015.

Growth in the global economy continued at a moderate pace in 2014. China’s growth was in line with policymakers’ objectives. The US economy continued to strengthen, but the euro area and Japanese economies were both weaker than expected. Forecasts for global growth in 2015 envisage continued moderate growth. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Economy, Reserve Bank Tagged With: , ,

Interest Rates Stay On Hold For 14th Consecutive Month

Oct 07, 2014

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left interest rates unchanged for the fourteenth consecutive month.

The cash rate of 2.5% was set in August 2013 and has remained unchanged since then. It is the longest period of interest rate stability since 2005-06.

In a statement, the bank’s Governor, Glenn Stevens, said: “The exchange rate has declined recently, in large part reflecting the strengthening US dollar, but remains high by historical standards, particularly given the further declines in key commodity prices in recent months. It is offering less assistance than would normally be expected in achieving balanced growth in the economy. Looking ahead, continued accommodative monetary policy should provide support to demand and help growth to strengthen over time. Inflation is expected to be consistent with the 2–3 per cent target over the next two years.”

Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 2.5 per cent. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Reserve Bank Tagged With: , ,

No Change To Interest Rates; Cash Rate Still 2.5%

Sep 02, 2014

At its monthly board meeting today, the Reserve Bank of Australia has left the cash rate unchanged at 2.5%.

The cash rate was last changed in August 2013, when it was reduced from 2.75%.

Statement from Glenn Stevens, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 2.5 per cent.

Growth in the global economy is continuing at a moderate pace. China’s growth remains generally in line with policymakers’ objectives, with weakening property markets a challenge in the near term. Commodity prices in historical terms remain high, but some of those important to Australia have declined this year. [Read more…]

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