RBA continues to hold rates in December

For the sixteenth month in a row since August 2016, the RBA has elected to keep the cash rate on hold at 1.5 per cent.

According to a statement by ANU’s Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis (CAMA) RBA Shadow Board, there was “no need” for a rate change before Christmas.

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“There has not been any significant news from the global economy to revise the overall outlook,” the statement said.

CAMA RBA Shadow Board member Mark Crosby said the RBA had signalled it would not raise the cash rate any time soon.

“Whether or not this is wise doesn’t matter, the RBA will sit on their hands for the next six months at least,” he said.

“The economy is clearly doing well, and monetary policy has done its job in terms of supporting the economy in recent years.

“It is time for the central bank to start normalising policy, and for other policy arms to support labour markets and productivity.”

AMP Capital’s chief economist Shane Oliver pointed to an “eventual rate hike” thanks to “strong business conditions, strong employment and the RBA’s own expectations for stronger growth”.

“But low inflation, record-low wages growth, the slowing housing cycle, uncertainty around consumer spending and the still too high [Australian dollar] argue for flat or even lower rates,” Mr Oliver said.

Members of the CAMA RBA Shadow Board felt 17 per cent confident that the cash rate should remain the same a year out from now; 8 per cent confident in a decreased cash rate; and 76 per cent confident in an increased cash rate.