️ Highlights:
1. The Board has decided to raise the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.35 per cent and increase the interest rate paid on Exchange Settlement balances to 4.25 per cent. This decision is aimed at addressing high and persistent inflation in Australia.
2. While goods price inflation has eased, the prices of many services are continuing to rise briskly, leading to slower progress in reducing CPI inflation than expected. CPI inflation is now projected to be around 3½ per cent by the end of 2024 and at the top of the target range of 2 to 3 per cent by the end of 2025.
3. The Board had held interest rates steady since June to assess the impact of previous rate increases. The economy has experienced stronger-than-expected growth, but high inflation is affecting real incomes and household consumption growth.
4. The outlook for the economy remains uncertain, with factors such as services price inflation, monetary policy effects, firms’ pricing decisions, and household consumption influencing the future trajectory. Global uncertainties, such as the Chinese economy and conflicts abroad, also contribute to the uncertainty.
5. The Board’s priority is to return inflation to target within a reasonable timeframe, as high inflation has negative effects on savings, household budgets, business planning, and income inequality. Medium-term inflation expectations have been consistent with the target, and it is crucial to maintain this consistency. Further monetary policy tightening will depend on data and risk assessment. The Board remains determined to achieve its inflation target.
Navigating the Shift in Australia’s Economic Landscape
On November 7, 2023, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) made a pivotal decision in its monetary policy, marking a significant moment in the nation’s economic journey. Michele Bullock, the Governor of the RBA, announced an increase in the cash rate target by 25 basis points, bringing it to 4.35%. Concurrently, the interest rate on exchange settlement balances also saw a rise of 25 basis points, reaching 4.25%.
This decision comes at a critical juncture where Australia grapples with inflation rates that, although having peaked, continue to challenge the economic stability. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data reveals a complex scenario: while the inflation of goods has shown signs of easing, the cost of services persists in its upward trajectory. The RBA forecasts that CPI inflation will gradually decrease, yet the pace is slower than initially anticipated. By the end of 2024, inflation is expected to stabilize around 3.5%, eventually aligning with the target range of 2 to 3% by the end of 2025.
The Rationale Behind the Rate Hike
The RBA’s decision to raise interest rates is rooted in a strategic approach to ensure inflation returns to the target range within a reasonable timeframe. Since May of the previous year, there has been a cumulative increase of 4 percentage points in interest rates. This series of rate hikes was designed to establish a more sustainable balance between supply and demand within the economy. The RBA had maintained a steady interest rate since June, allowing time to assess the impact of these increases. However, recent developments in the global economy, domestic spending trends, and the inflation and labor market outlook necessitated this latest adjustment.
Economic Indicators and Future Projections
The Australian economy, while experiencing below-trend growth, has demonstrated resilience, performing stronger than expected in the first half of the year. Inflation, particularly in the services sector, has exceeded forecasts. The labor market, though showing signs of easing, remains tight. Housing prices continue to rise nationwide, but high inflation is exerting pressure on real incomes and household consumption, which is notably weak.
Looking ahead, the economy is projected to grow at a rate below the trend. Employment growth is expected to slow, aligning with the labor force growth, and the unemployment rate is anticipated to rise moderately to about 4.25%. This is a more tempered increase than previously forecasted. Wages growth has accelerated over the past year, aligning with the inflation target, contingent on a pickup in productivity growth.
The Board’s Commitment and Future Outlook
The RBA Board emphasizes its unwavering commitment to returning inflation to its target range. High inflation poses significant challenges, eroding savings, straining household budgets, complicating business planning and investment, and exacerbating income inequality. Keeping medium-term inflation expectations aligned with the target is crucial to prevent more drastic measures in the future.
The path ahead is laden with uncertainties, especially concerning the persistence of services price inflation, the impact of monetary policy, and the response of businesses and wages to economic slowdown amidst a tight labor market. Household consumption also presents an uncertain picture, with many grappling with financial strains, while others benefit from rising housing prices and higher interest savings.
In conclusion, the RBA Board will continue to closely monitor global economic developments, domestic demand trends, and the inflation and labor market outlook. Their resolve is clear: to take necessary actions to ensure inflation returns to the target, thereby stabilizing the economic environment for all Australians.
For further inquiries, please contact the External Communications Secretary’s Department at the Reserve Bank of Australia, Sydney.