Will The RBA To Raise Rates Again And How Many Percentage Points This Time?

Inflation is expected to peak later this year and then decline back towards the 2–3 per cent range. The expected moderation in inflation reflects the ongoing resolution of global supply-side problems, recent declines in some commodity prices and the impact of rising interest rates.

The outlook for global economic

The path to achieving this balance is a narrow one and clouded in uncertainty, not least because of global developments. The outlook for global economic growth has deteriorated due to pressures on real incomes from high inflation, the tightening of monetary policy in most countries, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the COVID containment measures and other policy challenges in China.

The outlook for global economic growth has worsened and represents a key uncertainty. Central banks in several major advanced economies have expressed continued determination to tighten monetary policy to prevent the consolidation of high inflation, which would likely trigger a period of much lower growth. High inflation also put pressure on real incomes, especially in Europe, as the impact on energy markets worsened following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The last decision

Inflation in Australia is the highest it has been since the early 1990s and is expected to increase further over the months ahead. The Board is committed to returning inflation to the 2–3 per cent range over time. At its last meeting, the Board decided to increase the cash rate target by 50 basis points to 2.35 per cent. It also increased the interest rate on Exchange Settlement balances by 50 basis points to 2.25 per cent.

The expectations

The Council expects a further increase in interest rates in the coming months, but it is not on a predetermined path given the uncertainty about the outlook for inflation and growth. The behavior of household spending remains a significant source of uncertainty. Higher inflation and higher interest rates put pressure on household budgets. The RBA started its rate rise cycle in May during the federal election campaign.

The market may expect the RBA to raise rates again. The question remains only by how many percentage points this time?

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will be deciding between a 0.25 and a 0.50 percentage point hike. Some experts expect the Australian central bank to raise interest rates another half a point in its most aggressive tightening cycle to contain red-hot inflation.

As at 30 September, the ASX 30 Day Interbank Cash Rate Futures October 2022 contract was trading at 97.305, indicating a 79% expectation of an interest rate increase to 2.85% at the next RBA Board meeting.

Although many well-known economists such as Ben Jarman, the chief economist of JPMorgan, swear that on Tuesday the central bank will decide on the fifth consecutive "undersized" increase by 50 bp, the chances are that the RBA will decide to tighten monetary policy more slightly by 25 bp.

The official decision will be announced on Tuesday, October 4.

The rates market is even more hawkish. The Board is still resolute in the need to ensure inflation returned to target, but mindful that the path to achieve this needed to account for the risks to growth and employment. The Board is seeking to return inflation to target while keeping the economy on an even keel. The path to achieving this balance remains a narrow one and clouded in uncertainty.

The size and timing of future interest rate increases will still depend on the incoming economic data and the assessment of the outlook for inflation and the labor market.