Australians spared from rate rise pain
The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to keep the official cash rate on hold at 4.75 per cent for the seventh consecutive month when it met yesterday.
Despite signalling in last month's minutes that another rate hike was inevitable, the board decided it was prudent to keep rates on hold for another month.
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Weak job advertisement data and CPI figures encouraged the RBA to leave the official cash rate on hold, according to RP Data's Cameron Kusher.
Mr Kusher said while the rate hold came as no surprise, further tightening would be necessary in the future.
"Last month the RBA gave a stern warning about the future of the cash rate. Rates will go up before the end of the year. While they could go up as early as next month, it remains to be seen."
Loan Market chief Dean Rushton said the RBA needed more time to determine exactly where the economy was going.
“Recent employment numbers have added to the conflicting economic data and more time is needed to get an accurate read on the state of the economy."
Mr Rushton said a rate rise could be very damaging to confidence levels among Australians.
“We’re already seeing consumer sentiment wane with just the threat of an interest hike."
