Australia's consumer price inflation (CPI) remained at a three-year low in October, thanks to government electricity subsidies and rental relief, but core inflation edged higher, signaling continued cost pressures.
Key Highlights
Headline Inflation:
- CPI rose 2.1% annually, unchanged from September and below the 2.3% market forecast.
- Monthly CPI fell 0.3% from September.
Core Inflation (Trimmed Mean):
- Climbed to 3.5% annually, up from 3.2% in September.
- Remains above the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) 2%-3% target band, complicating potential rate cuts.
Volatile Items Excluded:
- Annual CPI eased to 2.7%, down from 3.0% in September.
Market Implications
Interest Rates:
- The RBA has held rates steady at 4.35% for a year, maintaining a restrictive stance since its rise from a record-low 0.1% during the pandemic.
- Rate cuts are not fully priced in until May 2025, with a 14% chance of a December cut and 27% probability for February, pending Q4 CPI data.
Currency and Bonds:
- The Australian dollar remained stable at US$0.6474.
- Three-year bond futures gained, reflecting expectations of sustained rate stability.
Drivers Behind October Inflation
- Subsidies: Federal and state government subsidies lowered electricity prices by 12%.
- Rents: Fell 0.3% month-on-month, attributed to government relief measures.
RBA’s Perspective
The RBA emphasized the volatility of monthly inflation data and signaled the need for more than one good quarterly outcome to justify a policy shift. Despite easing headline inflation, core inflation’s rise suggests lingering pressure, underscoring the challenge of balancing inflation targets while maintaining employment gains.
This steady inflation data keeps the RBA cautious, with the market awaiting the release of Q4 CPI for clearer monetary policy signals.
Comments
Post a Comment