Find financial news and analysis across NZ and Australia.
42 results for “rba”
Australia's annual inflation rate jumped to 4.6% in March 2026, driven by a record 32.8% surge in fuel prices following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Markets now expect a 76% chance of an RBA rate hike in May.
The Australian share market experienced a significant downturn on Monday, with the ASX 200 losing over A$30 billion in value. Rising oil prices and a global bond sell-off have intensified concerns over persistent inflation and high interest rates.
National Australia Bank has raised its variable home loan rates by 0.25% following the RBA's decision to lift the cash rate to 4.35%. The move marks the third consecutive increase this year, adding significant costs to Australian mortgages.
The Australian dollar has weakened to 0.72415 as Middle East tensions drive oil prices above $100 per barrel. Domestically, the RBA has raised interest rates to 4.35% while consumer confidence has plummeted to near 50-year lows.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised the official cash rate to 4.35 per cent to combat 4.6 per cent inflation. Major banks including CBA, NAB, ANZ, and Westpac will pass on the full 0.25 per cent increase to mortgage holders.
Australia's 2026 economic outlook remains cautious, with the IMF projecting 2.0% GDP growth and inflation hitting 4.0%. As the RBA prepares for further rate hikes, consumer sentiment has fallen to near-record lows.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has increased the cash rate to 4.35% on May 5, 2026, marking the third consecutive hike this year as the board moves to combat persistent inflation and rising fuel costs.
The S&P/ASX 200 index has recorded its tenth consecutive day of decline, closing at 8,652.1 points as Australia's inflation rate surged to 4.6% in March. The prolonged downturn, driven by energy supply shocks and RBA rate hike fears, marks the longest losing streak for the index since mid-2022.
Australia's economic growth slowed sharply to 0.3% in the first quarter of 2026, missing market expectations. Extreme weather disruptions and weak consumer spending dragged on activity, posing a policy dilemma for the Reserve Bank of Australia.
The S&P/ASX 200 index experienced a significant 1.62% rebound to close at 8,731.70 points on Friday, May 29, 2026. This surge, driven by mining and banking gains, was fueled by hopes of a tentative 60-day US-Iran ceasefire extension.
Australia's unemployment rate climbed to 4.5% in April 2026, representing its highest level since late 2021. The softening of the job market has prompted expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia will hold interest rates steady.
Australia's annual inflation rate reportedly eased to 4.3% in May 2026, down from 4.6% in March. While fuel price pressures moderated, housing costs and underlying inflation remain above the Reserve Bank of Australia's target band.
The Australian Wage Price Index rose by 0.8% in the March quarter 2026, bringing annual wage growth to 3.3%. This steady growth comes as the Reserve Bank of Australia maintains a high cash rate of 4.35% to combat persistent inflation.
Australian consumer confidence has plunged to 64.1 points, marking its fourth-lowest level since 1973. The 3.1-point drop follows the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to raise the cash rate to 4.35%.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index dropped 1.51% on Friday, wiping $50 billion in value as US-Iran hostilities pushed Brent crude oil above $100 a barrel. Major banks and energy stocks fell sharply amid renewed global inflation fears and concerns over future RBA interest rate hikes.
The ASX 200 ended its longest losing streak since 2018 on May 1, 2026, rising 0.74% to 8,729.80 points as BHP and Rio Tinto led a materials sector recovery.
Shares in Domino’s and Collins Foods have seen sharp declines as Australian inflation hits 4.6% and high interest rates squeeze household budgets, forcing a pullback in discretionary spending.
Regional Australian property values have grown by 3.3% in the last three months, more than triple the growth rate of capital cities, as Western Australia and Queensland lead a national surge.
The S&P/ASX 200 ended a five-day losing streak on 15 May 2026, gaining 0.48% to reach 8,681.9 points. The rally was driven by strong performance on Wall Street and a 27.7% surge in Megaport shares, though domestic inflation concerns persist.
While national home values rose 0.6% in March 2026, Sydney and Melbourne house prices have entered a quarterly decline as Perth surges 5.7% to record highs.
A crucial week lies ahead for global markets as May inflation figures in the US are forecast to rise to 4.2%, and the European Central Bank moves toward a 25 basis point rate hike.
The 2026-27 Australian Federal Budget introduces major reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax while providing a new $250 tax offset for workers. Treasurer Jim Chalmers aims to address housing affordability and intergenerational equity through a $31.5 billion deficit plan.
Westpac has announced a statutory net profit of A$3.4 billion for the half-year ended 31 March 2026. The bank maintained its interim dividend at A$0.77 per share despite signs of slowing mortgage growth in April.
The ASX 200 rose by up to 1% on Thursday as oil prices fell sharply on hopes of a US-Iran peace deal. However, Tabcorp shares crashed 25% following the announcement of a new AUSTRAC enforcement investigation.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand held the OCR at 2.25% in April 2026 as annual inflation remained stuck at 3.1%. Rising electricity and fuel costs, exacerbated by Middle East tensions, have prompted a sharp upward revision of short-term inflation forecasts.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index June 2026 quarterly rebalance reveals a major structural flow of institutional capital. Five resources and defence companies join the index, while five consumer, technology, and travel firms are removed.
Global market shifts overnight see WTI crude drop 3% and gold futures rise 0.9%, setting up a mixed trading session for ASX energy and gold shares on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Australia has recorded its first trade deficit in goods and services since December 2017, driven by a surge in data centre equipment imports and high fuel costs. The March quarter current account deficit widened to A$27.1 billion, setting up a drag on upcoming GDP growth figures.
Australia's Build-to-Rent sector is experiencing a significant surge, with a national pipeline poised to exceed 60,000 units. Sydney has overtaken Melbourne to lead the development pipeline, supported by supportive federal tax adjustments and state-level planning reforms.
Leading brokers have upgraded key ASX shares including Guzman Y Gomez, Life360, and Web Travel Group. These recommendations highlight strong target prices, strategic capital management initiatives, and robust financial projections for the upcoming week.
A study by the Reserve Bank of Australia dissects the relationship between profit margins, business mark-ups, and consumer prices. The findings challenge simplistic narratives about inflation, showing how margin adjustments are driven by complex shifts in costs and demand.
ASX-listed gold miner Ora Banda Mining Ltd has recorded a remarkable 915.4% return for investors over the past three years. The surge is backed by record half-year revenues of $336.3 million and a strong global gold price environment.
ANZ Group Holdings shares fell 4.3% last week as the banking sector faces a new economic landscape shaped by the RBA's rate hike to 4.35% and federal budget reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia shares suffered a record single-day fall of over 8% following a cautious Q3 update and the announcement of major housing tax reforms in the 2026-27 Federal Budget.
The 2026-27 Federal Budget introduces major changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, aiming to help 75,000 more Australians own homes while generating $3.6 billion in revenue.
WiseTech Global shares closed down 4.63% at A$42.27 on May 10, 2026, amid geopolitical tensions and market volatility. Despite a 40% year-to-date decline, the company has reaffirmed its FY26 revenue guidance of up to US$1.44 billion.
Coles Group reported a 3.1% increase in total sales to $10.7 billion for the third quarter of 2026, supported by a 24.8% jump in eCommerce revenue and 4.0% growth in supermarkets.
New data reveals Australia's First Home Guarantee scheme is driving a 6.7% price surge in eligible properties, significantly outperforming the broader market and increasing household debt.
ASX 200 futures indicate a higher open on Wednesday following record-high closes for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. Easing oil prices and strong technology earnings from AMD and Palantir are driving global market optimism.
New data shows Australia's expanded Home Guarantee Scheme has fueled a 6.7% price jump in lower-end properties, significantly outpacing the broader market's 3.6% growth.
New Zealand's annual inflation rate remained at 3.1% in the March 2026 quarter, exceeding the RBNZ’s target band and market expectations. Rising electricity and local rates continue to drive domestic costs.
Woolworths Group reported Q3 sales of A$18.10 billion, beating expectations, but shares dropped nearly 10% as the company warned that rising fuel costs and geopolitical tensions will impact profit margins.