Interest rates

Reserve Bank keeps cash rate on hold despite low demand for credit

3:41PM | Tuesday, 5 March 2013 |  The cash rate has been left unchanged at 3%, in line with economists’ predictions, although the Reserve Bank said the exchange rate remains “higher than might have been expected” while demand for credit is low.

Businesses tip higher profits, but conditions still patchy: Study

12:00AM | Tuesday, 4 December 2012 |  Businesses will end the year on a reasonably positive note, according to Dun & Bradstreet’s latest National Business Expectations Survey, but the outlook for 2013 is mixed, with rising profit levels but a “patchy” employment market.

No Cup day cut as interest rates hold at 3.25%

11:39PM | Tuesday, 6 November 2012 |  The Reserve Bank has confounded expectations by leaving the cash rate unchanged at 3.25%, despite widespread predictions of a 25 basis point cut, and an appeal from Westpac chief Gail Kelly to help lift flagging consumer sentiment.

Reserve Bank cuts cash rate to 3.25% as 2013 outlook weakens

10:03PM | Tuesday, 2 October 2012 |  The Reserve Bank has lowered the official interest rate by 25 basis points, admitting the growth outlook for next year looks “a little weaker” on the back of international developments.

Interest rates left on hold for third straight month

9:42PM | Tuesday, 4 September 2012 |  Interest rates have remained on hold for the third consecutive month, with the Reserve Bank board attributing the decision to “quite firm” consumption growth and low unemployment.

RBA keeps rates on hold, says growth is "close to trend"

8:49PM | Tuesday, 7 August 2012 |  The official interest rate has remained unchanged at 3.5%, in line with economists’ expectations, with the Reserve Bank saying most indicators suggest growth is “close to trend overall”.

Economists unconvinced record-low inflation spells further rate cuts

7:24PM | Thursday, 26 July 2012 |  Economists have played down the prospect of a further interest rate cut, despite new data showing that inflation has slipped to its lowest point since 1999.

Banking satisfaction wanes as lenders refuse to pass on full rate cuts

6:23PM | Monday, 18 June 2012 |  Recent interest rate cuts are having minimal impact on the plight of small business customers, according to new research, which shows only two lenders have passed on the latest cut in full.

Insolvencies hit record level as business expectations flounder

4:32PM | Monday, 30 April 2012 |  Small business insolvencies have reached an unwelcome new high, with business expectations continuing to remain below average, according to new figures.