Yesterday
Trump concedes tariffs politically risky as economy contracts
The US economy contracted by an annualised 0.3 per cent over the first quarter, as US companies responded to Trump’s trade war by rushing to import goods.
April
Bond market too optimistic about rapid rate cuts, investors warn
Benign inflation data has boosted bets of a rate cut next month, but fund managers caution against the aggressive easing path implied by markets.
US consumer confidence plunges to lowest in 5 years on Trump tariffs
The figures reflect a rapidly souring mood among Americans, who expect prices to rise because of the tariffs imposed by Donald Trump.
Powell draws applause on independence at closed-door IMF meeting
The Fed chair told the meeting central banks must be shielded from politics to do their jobs.
RBA says interest rates don’t hit households as hard as you’d think
The RBA wants you to know that changes in household cash flow from interest rates get too much attention.
Can Trump fire Powell before his term ends?
Any prospect that the Fed chair could be sacked over a policy like lower interest rates would likely tank financial markets.
US Treasuries slide with worst sell-off since 2019
Volatility continued to lash assets in the US markets with bonds extending a slide that could be the biggest in more than five years.
US inflation unexpectedly cools ahead of tariffs impact
New data showed the consumer price index unexpectedly dipped 0.1 per cent in March.
Traders eye up to five RBA rate cuts amid market turmoil
The Aussie tumbled below US60¢, its lowest level since early in the COVID-19 pandemic, as the bond market ramped up expectations of bigger interest rate moves.
Trump’s idiocy will put a 2 in front of RBA cash rate by end of year
Retaliatory tariffs are a supply shock that will not only see the global economy lurch into a deep recession but will do so with a near-term inflationary bias.
Trump tariffs to force RBA to cut rates up to four times in 2025
Economists predict the trade war will cause a global slowdown that will impact the Australian economy, with markets increasingly certain of a rate reduction in May.
More rate cuts? That would have to be an April Fool’s joke
The inflation fighter deep inside Michele Bullock has resurfaced, and the RBA has reminded everyone that restoring price stability is the main game.
RBA won’t join desperate guessing game
Central banks are as much on edge as markets, as the world waits to learn the impact and extent of Donald Trump’s tariffs. Caution reigns at the Reserve Bank.
The ‘credit cycle that never was’ will limit RBA rate cuts
After the pain of 13 hikes, there is still a real question as to how much more support the central bank can really provide in this easing phase.
RBA has interest rate trigger for Trump trade war
The Reserve Bank of Australia isn’t quite sure what impact Donald Trump’s imminent next round of tariffs will have on inflation, but it is ready to act.
March
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.
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.
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.
US inflation eases, as economists await impact from Trump’s tariffs
Analysts anticipate that the president’s escalating trade wars will drive up prices on a range of goods from food to clothing in the coming months.
Inside the sudden exit of a central bank governor
The aggressively nationalist Kiwi central bank boss Adrian Orr deliberately pushed New Zealand into recession. Australian bankers hope his sudden exit will give them some relief.