The RBA Statement on Monetary Policy revealed nothing new give then Governor Philip Lowe had delivered an update in a speech earlier this week. In the SoMP, RBA, reiterated that “higher interest rates are likely to be appropriate at some point, if the economy continues to evolve as expected.” That is, the next move is “up not down”. But, Given the gradual nature of the improvement, however, the Board does not see a strong case to adjust the cash rate in the near term.
RBA’s new economic forecasts appear to be largely unchanged from the May SoMP.
- Four-quarter GDP growth is projected to be at 3.25% in Q4 2018, 3.25% in Q2 2019 (revised down from 3.50%), 3.25% in Q4 2019, 3.00% in Q2 2020 and 3.00% in Q4 2020 (new).
- Unemployment rate is projected to be at 5.5% in Q4 2018, 5.25% in Q2 2019, 5.25% in Q4 2019, 5.25% in Q2 2020 and 5.00% in Q4 2020 (new).
- Headline CPI is projected to be at 1.75% in Q4 2018 (revised down from 2.25%), 2.0% in Q2 2019 (revised down from 2.25%), 2.25% in Q4 2019, 2.25% in Q2 2020 and 2.25% in Q4 2020 (new).
- Underlying inflation is projected to be at 1.75% in Q4 2018 (revised down from 2.00%), 2.00% in Q2 2019, 2.00% in Q4 2019, 2.25% in Q2 2020, 2.25% in Q2 2020 (new).
These are the latest forecasts.
