SYDNEY, Sept 04 (AFP): Weak inflation, sluggish wage growth and high levels of household debt saw Australia's central bank keep interest rates on hold at a record low on Tuesday.
The Reserve Bank of Australia slashed the cash rate from November 2011 to August 2016 to 1.50 per cent to boost the economy as it transitioned away from a mining investment boom and it has not moved since.
Most economists are not expecting the bank to lift them until late next year, or even 2020, given household debt and slow wages growth continues to affect consumer spending.
And with one of Australia's big four lenders - Westpac - pushing up its mortgage borrowing costs out-of-cycle since the central bank last met in August, the chances of an official rate hike appear to have receded even further.
Other major banks are widely expected to follow suit.
"While the rise in mortgage rates on average is small at around 15 basis points, it's still another dampener on consumer spending and home-buyer demand," said AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver.
"It will hit the home-buyer market particularly in Sydney and Melbourne at a time when it's already down. As such it's a de-facto monetary tightening and is yet another reason for the RBA to remain on hold for longer."
The RBA continues to put its faith in lower unemployment helping to boost wage growth and eventually lift inflationary pressures.
Unemployment is currently at 5.3 per cent, the lowest level in almost six years.
Australia puts rates on hold at record low
FE Team | Published: September 04, 2018 22:23:26
Australia puts rates on hold at record low
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