Updated
Updated · The Australian Financial Review · Aug 26
ASX 200 Slips 0.1% as July Inflation Tops Forecast, Lifting RBA Hike Odds
Updated
Updated · The Australian Financial Review · Aug 26

ASX 200 Slips 0.1% as July Inflation Tops Forecast, Lifting RBA Hike Odds

3 articles · Updated · The Australian Financial Review · Aug 26

Summary

  • The S&P/ASX 200 fell 13 points to 9,151.60 by 2:03 p.m. AEST, reversing an earlier gain of more than 0.6% after Australia’s July inflation data came in hotter than expected.
  • July CPI slowed to 3.5% from 3.8% in June but beat economists’ 3.3% forecast, while trimmed-mean inflation held at 3.6% — a sign underlying price pressures remain sticky.
  • That reading kept the risk of another Reserve Bank of Australia rate increase in play, with interest-rate markets repricing more hawkishly after 75 basis points of hikes earlier this year.
  • Analysts said the inflation surprise was a blow to an already weak economy, underscoring how persistent price pressures are complicating the outlook for equities and monetary policy.

Insights

With Australian unemployment rising alongside stubborn inflation, will the RBA be forced into a devastating rate hike to save the economy?
If rate hikes haven't stopped soaring housing and fuel costs, is the RBA's traditional inflation playbook fundamentally broken?