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Interest rates

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The housing affordability crisis has led to immigration restrictions, whacking IDP Education.

Housing market recovery gathers steam

With a helpful kick from the Reserve Bank’s first interest rate cut, Sydney and Melbourne house prices are climbing once again after modest recent declines.

These 12 charts show how the economy has changed under Labor

The federal election will be fought squarely on economic management. See how inflation, interest rates, the budget, and wages changed over the past three years.

Michele Bullock.

‘Solid case’ for rate cuts next week, says Goldman Sachs

The investment bank has told clients the market is underestimating the chances that the RBA will reduce the cash rate in April.

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Michele Bullock, governor, Reserve Bank of Australia, is in no rush to cut interest rates again.

Traders temper bets on RBA rate cuts after pre-election budget

Bond investors are concerned about Australia’s spending plans as the government’s financing arm unveiled the biggest annual funding program outside the pandemic.

Michele Bullock was so hawkish last month that to cut in April would probably dent the central bank’s credibility.

Inflation data brings two rays of housing crisis hope

Wednesday’s inflation data strengthened the case for another rate cut and contained another slice of good news on housing.

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Anthony Albanese has flagged policies that will benefit tradies and blue-collar workers.

Inflation slows as housing market cools

Underlying inflation has fallen to its equal lowest level since December 2021 as builders offer promotional incentives and the rental market eases.

Trade war not good for interest rates or home buyers: Cotality

Inflation could spike over the near term, leading a smaller rate cut and depriving home owners of much needed mortgage relief according to a global CEO.

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Michele Bullock.

Slash rates to avoid recession

Readers’ letters on the need for interest rate cuts, slashing stamp duty for retirees, housing affordability, tax bracket creep and the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.

A home in Sydney’s St Ives sold at auction for $700,000 more than it went for three years ago.

North shore home fetches $700k more in just three years

Some homes – such as a four-bedroom place in Sydney’s St Ives – sold well, but auction clearance rates slipped for a fourth straight week.

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey.

Bank of England leaves rates unchanged at 4.5pc as inflation stays high

UK inflation remains at 3 per cent, above the bank’s 2 per cent target and is set to push higher in the coming months.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell  highlighted “unusually elevated” uncertainty.

Investors cheer as traders dial up Fed rate cut bets

Equities rallied around the world as bond markets priced in the possibility of two rate cuts from US Federal Reserve this year and in Australia.

Bullock tipped to ignore surprise fall in employment

Economists said the surprise news that 53,000 workers lost their jobs in February should be taken “with a grain of salt” and will not bring forward another rate cut.

US Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell says tariff inflation may be transitory.

This single word just sparked a sharemarket pop

Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell has kept rates on hold, citing extreme uncertainty. But his use of one particular word to describe tariff-related inflation shocked investors.

Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference after holding rates steady.

Fed cuts growth forecast on Trump tariff uncertainty

Federal Reserve policymakers also held rates steady, though they indicated borrowing costs would drop by 50 basis points by the end of the year.

Metrics co-founder Andrew Lockhart.

Metrics hits back at critics, says there’s plenty of money flowing in

The private credit giant held a conference call with investors after a big financial planner recommended advisers sell their funds.

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In a rare interview, Martin Parkinson hit out at the major parties for their lack of ambition, warning the GST would need to rise to pay for lower income taxes.

Ex-Treasury boss slams Labor and Coalition for decade of stagnation

In a rare interview, Martin Parkinson has hit out at the main parties for their lack of ambition, and says the GST will need to rise to pay for lower income taxes.

Nearly half of all apartments sold in central Melbourne during the December quarter were unprofitable due to poor capital gains, according to CoreLogic.

Last quarter’s least and most profitable housing markets revealed

Home sellers racked up record profits in the December quarter, but apartments delivered losses for many owners in Melbourne and Sydney.

APRA chairman John Lonsdale at the AFR Banking Summit.

APRA chair says directors need to have ‘the time’ to do their job

John Lonsdale defends the regulator against concerns it has heaped too much red tape on bank and superannuation fund boards.

Wall Street has sold off sharply, and Morgan Stanley has warned clients that the Australian sharemarket tends to follow equities in the US.

Morgan Stanley bearish on ASX, cites correlation with Wall Street

The S&P/ASX 200 closed on Friday with its third-largest weekly loss this year despite a rally in Australian iron ore and gold mining stocks.

Trump’s election has caused a violent swing in sentiment on markets.

Trump is going after a huge prize, so this sell-off could get worse

It’s too easy to blame the correction that’s rocked markets this week on Trump’s noise and chaos. This administration is going after a huge prize, and investors need to understand it. 

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