Australia Westpac Consumer Confidence rose 3.6% to 100 in August, up from 96.5. Westpac said: “Superficially this result comes as somewhat of a surprise given that the survey was conducted against a turbulent backdrop with global financial markets roiled by escalating trade tensions between the US and China, the ASX down 3.4% and the AUD off 3¢ US since the July survey.” However, it’s came in the “aftermath” of the unexpected -4.7% fall in July, despite back-to-back RBA rate cuts. Also, there was political certainty restoration following the May Federal election.
Regarding RBA, Westpac expects the central bank to stand page in September, before delivering another -25bps rate cut in October. Also, there wold be a final -25bps move to take Cash Rate to 0.50% in February. Westpac noted that the “signals from the RBA are quite clear”. And, In its recent Statement on Monetary Policy the RBA lowered its forecasts for inflation, wages and growth, while lifting its forecasts for the unemployment rate. Those forecasts were despite basing them on the technical assumption of adopting market pricing, which anticipates two more rate cuts.
