Today
Powell: The US is back on a ‘disinflationary path’
Still, US policymakers need to have more confidence that price pressures are continuing to ease before pivoting to rate cuts, the central bank boss said.
- Updated
- Balazs Koranyi and Howard Schneider
- Opinion
- Open banking
Open banking offers a salutary tale
The lesson is that governments trying to regulate their way to a greater bank competition can have anti-competitive effects.
- The AFR View
Yesterday
Rising inflation tests RBA’s ‘limited tolerance’
More rate rises could be needed, as soon as August, after the Reserve Bank noted inflation “increased the risk” rates would not rein in CPI as quickly as forecast.
- Ronald Mizen
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
Central banks have done their job. Now others must do theirs
Central bank independence from governments has proved its worth yet again. But it is politicians who now have to step up reforms that cannot be put off.
- Augustin Carstens
This Month
- Opinion
- Australian economy
The public sector is the key to Australia’s productivity puzzle
There is some cause for cautious optimism for increased productivity in the healthcare sector if outcomes can be more accurately measured and assessed.
- Alex Robson
June
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Chalmers’ ANZ-Suncorp merger approval is ironic for bank competition
The whole drawn-out process could end up discouraging market dynamism by offering no way out to the smaller banks lacking the economies of scale to compete effectively.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- Australian economy
RBA’s new Englishman tells Aussies: you’ve forgotten how rich you are
If Australians don’t appreciate their fortune, as Andrew Hauser correctly points out, they may not be well placed to preserve it.
- Michael Stutchbury
Businesses failing to weigh wider risks
Readers’ letters on the need for boards to consider risks beyond their organisation; the links between gambling and sport; and the fight against inflation.
Fed’s favoured inflation metric slows, supporting case for cut
The so-called core personal consumption expenditures price index, which strips out volatile food and energy items, increased 0.1 per cent from the prior month.
- Augusta Saraiva
- Exclusive
- Australian economy
Recession a 50-50 chance if RBA raises rates: economists
As many as 100,000 Australians could lose their jobs in an inflation-driven recession likely to coincide with the federal election.
- Aaron Patrick
Ten properties and counting: meet Australia’s ‘super investors’
There is a hardcore cohort of 20,000 Australians who own six or more investment properties, according to AFR Weekend analysis of annual Tax Office data.
- Michael Read
- Analysis
- Interest rates
How the RBA’s big interest rate experiment exposes Labor
The moment of truth to test Australian exceptionalism is about to arrive. Persistent local inflation suggests the strategy is coming under pressure and may be about to come unstuck.
- John Kehoe
- Exclusive
- Disability
NDIS to cost $100b, exceeding the pension: budget watchdog
The NDIS is on track to overtake the age pension as the most expensive area of spending within three years if it remains stuck on its current trajectory.
- Michael Read
RBA deputy talks up renewable energy potential
RBA deputy Andrew Hauser has talked up Australia’s potential to be a world leader in solar, as the nation debates the best energy mix to achieve net zero.
- Updated
- John Kehoe and Joanne Tran
Multiple interest rate rises needed to quash inflation
The hawkish warnings from economists came as the share of borrowers falling behind on repaying their home loan has risen to the highest level in five years.
- John Kehoe
August rate rise could eat up a chunk of your stage three tax cuts
With markets pricing a one-in-three chance of an August rate rise, borrowers may not enjoy the full benefit of the stage three tax cuts that start on July 1.
- Michael Read
- Updated
- Interest rates
August rate rise on the cards after inflation hits 4pc
Investors say there is now a one-in-three chance of an August interest rate rise after inflation accelerated to its highest rate in six months and economists warned price pressures remained too strong.
- Updated
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- The AFR View
RBA should lift rates if that’s what it takes
The hotter-than-expected monthly inflation reading suggests the Reserve Bank has still not done enough to tame Australia’s sticky and above-target inflation.
- The AFR View
Building costs 37pc higher than four years ago
The cost of building a home is surging, threatening the Albanese government’s efforts to build 1.2 million new dwellings.
- Michael Read and James Hall
- Opinion
- Interest rates
RBA edges closer to interest rate rise as inflation proves sticky
Governor Michele Bullock will be troubled by the latest inflation data, and contemplating the real possibility of an interest rate rise at the August meeting.
- Updated
- John Kehoe