At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.50 per cent. Conditions in the global economy have improved. Labour markets have tightened and above-trend growth is expected in a number of advanced economies, although uncertainties remain. Growth in the Chinese economy is being supported by increased spending on infrastructure and property construction, with the high level of debt continuing to present a medium-term risk. Australia's terms of trade are expected to decline in the period ahead but remain at relatively high levels. Wage growth remains low in most countries, as does core ... (full story)

THE RBA has kept the official cash rate on hold, a day after September data revealed the first fall in Sydney prices in 17 months. THE Reserve Bank has left the official cash rate on hold at its historic low of 1.5 per cent for the 14th month in a row. It comes a day after CoreLogic data for the month of September showed Sydney prices falling for the first time in 17 months, while home prices across Australia’s other capital cities edged only marginally higher. The RBA last cut the cash rate in August 2016, following an earlier cut to 1.75 per cent in May. There has not been an official cash rate increase since ... (full story)

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has made its monthly cash rate announcement once again deciding to hold at 1.5%. This means it has now been 14 months since the rates changed in August last year. This decision was widely expected by those within the Australian financial industry. All 31 experts in finder.com.au’s RBA survey predicted no movement with 85% expecting the next rate move to be up. Today’s hold decision was also forecast by more than 92% of mortgage brokers polled by HashChing. CEO of Mortgage Choice, John Flavell, said that in making this decision the RBA Board would have had to take into consideration ... (full story)