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Australia’s central bank holds rates, signals more hikes to come

Published

3 years ago

July 5, 2023

Interest rates remain at 4.1 per cent, the highest level in 11 years

The Australian central bank held interest rates steady on Tuesday, saying it needed more time to assess the impact of past rate hikes, but warned that further tightening might be necessary to rein in inflation.

After raising rates by 400 basis points in May last year, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) held its cash rate at an 11-year high of 4.1 per cent at its July policy meeting.

This is the most aggressive rate hike campaign in the bank’s modern history.

Markets had been pricing in a pause, but many economists had expected further rate hikes. Three out of Australia’s Big Four banks had expected a further rate hike, with only the Commonwealth Bank predicting the pause.

RBA Governor Philip Lowe said during the Tuesday meeting that that higher interest rates were working to strike a balance between supply in the economy

“In light of this and the uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook, the Board decided to hold interest rates steady this month,” he said.

Lowe also repeated warnings that further tightening might be required as inflation remains elevated and is expected to be so for some time.

After pausing in April, the RBA resumed raising rates in June and May in an aggressive campaign that has many in the economy fearful of tipping into recession.

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Big Tech earnings spark investor unease over AI spending

Investors monitor Big Tech’s AI investments, with Meta thriving while Microsoft and Tesla face uncertainty over growth and returns.

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Investors monitor Big Tech’s AI investments, with Meta thriving while Microsoft and Tesla face uncertainty over growth and returns.

Investors are reacting sharply to Big Tech earnings this week, sending a clear signal that massive spending must translate into real growth. Markets are becoming less forgiving as companies pour billions into artificial intelligence, data centres and future tech while returns remain uncertain.

Meta has delivered a standout performance, posting a 24 percent jump in revenue for the December quarter, fuelled by AI-powered advertising. The company is doubling down on its strategy, with aggressive investment in AI and infrastructure expected to drive a further 33 percent growth this quarter.

Microsoft and Tesla tell a more cautious story. Microsoft reported only modest growth in its Azure cloud business, raising questions about its exposure to OpenAI, while Tesla plans to double spending on AI and autonomous driving. Analysts warn of a widening gap between bold AI ambitions and what investors expect in returns.

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Federal Reserve holds interest rates amid economic uncertainty

Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, balancing inflation and jobs, as some governors advocate for a cut. #FederalReserve #InterestRates #Economy

Published

4 days ago

January 29, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, balancing inflation and jobs, as some governors advocate for a cut.

The Federal Reserve has opted to keep interest rates unchanged, marking the first pause since July. Officials are showing little urgency to resume cuts, even after previous rate reductions.

Two Fed governors opposed the decision, calling for a quarter-point cut, highlighting ongoing debates within the rate-setting committee, which includes both appointed governors and regional bank presidents.

Concerns over the job market and persistent inflation continue to weigh heavily on the Fed’s policy decisions, leaving economists and investors closely watching the next moves.

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#FederalReserve #InterestRates #Economy

News

Trump warns Iran as U.S. naval forces approach amid rising tensions

Trump urges Iran to resume nuclear talks or face stronger U.S. military response amid economic struggles and tensions rise.

Published

4 days ago

January 29, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump urges Iran to resume nuclear talks or face stronger U.S. military response amid economic struggles and rising tensions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Iran to return to nuclear negotiations, warning that failure to do so could result in a far more severe military response. Posting on Truth Social, Trump signalled a hardening stance as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise.

Trump confirmed that a U.S. naval strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln is moving towards Iran, as protests grow inside the country over alleged government repression.

The show of force comes amid heightened regional instability and mounting pressure on the Iranian leadership.

#Trump #Iran #USForeignPolicy