Monday, March 6, 2017

3 Experts comment on the March 2017 RBA interest rate decision [Video]

The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept rates on hold at 1.5%.

The decision to leave the cash rate on hold today came as no surprise to those following our economy.

To better understand the decision, here are 3 experts views:

Martin Lakos ( Macquarie) comment: RBA

The RBA board met on Tuesday 7 March and decided to keep interest rates on hold at 1.5%.

Over the past month a comprehensive report card on the state of the Australian economy has been well documented with the release of economic data such as economic growth, trade, labour force and business investment.

It’s this report card that would have been most influential in this month’s interest rate decision.

The next RBA board meeting will be held on Tuesday 4 April.

Source: Macquarie

Tim Lawless (Corelogic) comments:

No doubt, one of the key topics of conversation at this month’s RBA board meeting will be around housing market conditions and the ongoing rebound in the rate of capital gains over the second half of 2016 and first two months of 2017.  

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The CoreLogic monthly hedonic index shows capital city dwelling values have increased by 7.8% since the May ‘16 rate cut.

The renewed exuberance in the housing market over the past eight months is due to more than just low mortgage rates.

The reacceleration in capital gains also coincides with a substantial rebound in investment purchasing activity which has been a key driver of market demand and upwards price pressures.

The predicament for the RBA is clear, they are unwilling to drop rates because this would likely add further fuel to the housing market; they don’t want to push rates higher as this will stifle consumption and investment more broadly as well as potentially place some upwards pressure on the Australian dollar.

While interest rates remain at their current low level, and in the absence of additional macro prudential measures, we should expect housing demand from investors and owner occupiers to remain strong, particularly in those cities where economic conditions remain strong and migration rates remain high.

Comments from the RBA:

Conditions in the global economy have continued to improve over recent months.

Business and consumer confidence have both picked up. interest

Above-trend growth is expected in a number of advanced economies, although uncertainties remain.

In China, growth is being supported by higher spending on infrastructure and property construction.

This composition of growth and the rapid increase in borrowing mean that the medium-term risks to Chinese growth remain.

The improvement in the global economy has contributed to higher commodity prices, which are providing a significant boost to Australia’s national income.

Headline inflation rates have moved higher in most countries, partly reflecting the higher commodity prices.

Long-term bond yields are higher than last year, although in a historical context they remain low.

Interest rates are expected to increase further in the United States and there is no longer an expectation of additional monetary easing in other major economies.

Financial markets have been functioning effectively and stock markets have mostly risen.

The Australian economy is continuing its transition following the end of the mining investment boom, expanding by around 2½ per cent in 2016.

Exports have risen strongly and non-mining business investment has risen over the past year.economy

Most measures of business and consumer confidence are at, or above, average.

Consumption growth was stronger towards the end of the year, although growth in household income remains low.

The outlook continues to be supported by the low level of interest rates.

Financial institutions remain in a good position to lend.

The depreciation of the exchange rate since 2013 has also assisted the economy in its transition following the mining investment boom. An appreciating exchange rate would complicate this adjustment.

Labour market indicators continue to be mixed and there is considerable variation in employment outcomes across the country.

The unemployment rate has been steady at around 5¾ per cent over the past year, with employment growth concentrated in part-time jobs.

The forward-looking indicators point to continued expansion in employment over the period ahead.

Inflation remains quite low. With growth in labour costs remaining subdued, underlying inflation is likely to stay low for some time.

Headline inflation is expected to pick up over the course of 2017 to be above 2 per cent, with the rise in underlying inflation expected to be a bit more gradual.

Conditions in the housing market vary considerably around the country.low interest rates

In some markets, conditions are strong and prices are rising briskly.

In other markets, prices are declining.

In the eastern capital cities, a considerable additional supply of apartments is scheduled to come on stream over the next couple of years.

Growth in rents is the slowest for two decades.

Borrowing for housing by investors has picked up over recent months.

Supervisory measures have contributed to some strengthening of lending standards.

Taking account of the available information the Board judged that holding the stance of policy unchanged at this meeting would be consistent with sustainable growth in the economy and achieving the inflation target over time

Source: www.rba.gov.au

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