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Reserve Bank to cut Australian interest rates in May in face of weak economy
Concern about a deteriorating economic outlook and a resurgent Australian dollar will force the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates on Tuesday, taking the official cash rate to an all-time low of 2 per cent and discounted mortgage rates to just 4.55 per cent. The Australian dollar touched US80¢ on Thursday, a level the Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens has previously said was well above its fundamental value. Among the concerns driving the bank is a realisation that unless it cuts its cash rate on Tuesday, financial markets will stop believing that it is prepared to cut and push the dollar even higher. ... (full story)