RBA keeps cash rate unchanged at 0.10% today as widely expected. The central bank dropped the line that “the Board is prepared to be patient as it monitors how the various factors affecting inflation in Australia evolve.” It’s seen as a sign that RBA is preparing the markets for an earlier rate hike.
In the forward guidance, RBA said “the Board has wanted to see actual evidence that inflation is sustainably within the 2 to 3 per cent target range before it increases interest rates.”. While inflation has picked up and further increase is expected, “growth in labour costs has been below rates that are likely to be consistent with inflation being sustainably at target.”
RBA concluded, “over coming months, important additional evidence will be available to the Board on both inflation and the evolution of labour costs. The Board will assess this and other incoming information as its sets policy to support full employment in Australia and inflation outcomes consistent with the target.”
