RBA announces May rate decision amid economic challenges

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has left the cash rate unchanged at 4.35 per cent but acknowledged that it can’t rule anything “in or out” in light of recent strong inflation data.

The bank’s decision did not surprise economists, with most predicting the bank would hold.

Ahead of this month’s rate announcement, the money market was pricing in no change on Tuesday, but reflected a 40 per cent probability of a rate hike by September.

Similar to the market trends, since the RBA’s last meeting in March, economists have become more cautious and have adjusted their forecasts to align with their reservations.

The usually conservative Paul Bloxham predicted that the change in circumstances would prompt the RBA to consider a rate hike in May.

“We see the upside surprises to inflation and the jobs market as likely to mean that, as was the case at the February meeting, but not in March, the board will be presented with options of holding steady or lifting the cash rate by 25 bp,” the HSBC’s chief economist said.

Bloxham, however, maintained his central case, that the RBA will be on hold through 2024, with a shallow cutting phase starting in Q1 2025 with a total 60 bp of cuts throughout the year.

“That said, we see a 40 per cent chance that the RBA could raise its cash rate again in H2 2024 and a risk that the cash rate is on hold for longer than our central case, partly depending on actions by the US Fed,” Bloxham said.

For Scott Solomon, co-portfolio manager of the T. Rowe Price Dynamic Global Bond Strategy, evidence points to the RBA’s policy settings not being restrictive enough to quickly return inflation to target. But whether or not the central bank is forced to hike again, he said, “remains to be seen”.

“The market is now pricing at least the possibility of another hike – the only major market outside of Japan where this is the case. This is partly driven by a prior reluctance to hike as much as the other central banks – thus in a way, there’s a bit of catch-up,” Solomon said.

Well known for his optimism, AMP’s chief economist, Shane Oliver, said despite talk of a resumption of rate hikes, “our view remains that the RBA will leave rates on hold on Tuesday ahead of a delayed start to cuts latter this year”.

Oliver previously predicted the rate cut cycle to begin in June, but ahead of Tuesday said the RBA would return to a tightening bias, albeit a mild one.

More to come.