Articles
Article title BILL’S BITES: RBA rate cuts could begin next August
Article descriptionThe RBA’s September Board meeting has bolstered the view of Westpac economists that the cash rate has peaked. They are now pencilling in the first rate cut for August next year.
By AuthorBill Evans
Chief Economist, Westpac 4 mins
Article title BILL’S BITES: RBA’s August pause could signal rate peak
Article descriptionWestpac economists believe the cash rate has peaked at 4.1 per cent after the RBA indicated it was confident of bringing inflation back into its target range by the end of 2025.
By AuthorBill Evans
Chief Economist, Westpac 4 mins
Article title BILL’S BITES: Consumers gripped by deep pessimism
Article descriptionDon’t be fooled by an improvement in the latest Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer sentiment gauge – Australian households remain deeply pessimistic, and it's inflation, not interest rates, that is their top concern.
By AuthorBill Evans
Chief Economist, Westpac 4 mins
Article title BILL’S BITES: RBA’s hawkish tilt sours the growth outlook
Article descriptionThe RBA, like several other central banks around the world, is finding that interest rate hikes are a limited tool when it comes to curbing inflation in the post-pandemic world. Still, it’s focus on containing price pressures means that further rate increases are likely.
By AuthorBill Evans
Chief Economist, Westpac 4 mins
Article title BILL’S BITES: Sentiment dented after rate hike, budget
Article descriptionConsumer sentiment plunged in May back to levels consistent with the deep recession of the early 1990s, with confidence further eroded in the wake of a surprise RBA interest rate increase and the federal budget.
By AuthorBill Evans
Chief Economist, Westpac 5 mins
