The Reserve Bank of Australia kept its key interest rate at a record low to support growth and said an overvalued currency is hampering the economy’s transition away from mining investment.
The overnight cash rate target was held at 2.5 percent for a 13th month, Governor Glenn Stevens said in a statement today following an RBA board meeting in Adelaide. The decision was predicted by all 31 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News and markets had priced in almost no chance of a move.
The Australian dollar “remains above most estimates of its fundamental value, particularly given the declines in key commodity prices,” Stevens said. “It is offering less assistance than would normally be expected in achieving balanced growth in the economy.”
This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities.
Opinions are the authors — not necessarily OANDA’s, its officers or directors. OANDA’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy apply. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.
Recommended Content
Editors’ Picks
GBP/USD stays weak near 1.2400 after UK Retail Sales data
GBP/USD stays vulnerable near 1.2400 early Friday, sitting at five-month troughs. The UK Retail Sales data came in mixed and added to the weakness in the pair. Risk-aversion on the Middle East escalation keeps the pair on the back foot.
EUR/USD extends its downside below 1.0650 on hawkish Fed remarks
The EUR/USD extends its downside around 1.0640 after retreating from weekly peaks of 1.0690 on Friday. The hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials provide some support to the US Dollar.
Gold: Middle East war fears spark fresh XAU/USD rally, will it sustain?
Gold price is trading close to $2,400 early Friday, reversing from a fresh five-day high reached at $2,418 earlier in the Asian session. Despite the pullback, Gold price remains on track to book the fifth weekly gain in a row.
Bitcoin Price Outlook: All eyes on BTC as CNN calls halving the ‘World Cup for Bitcoin’
Bitcoin price remains the focus of traders and investors ahead of the halving, which is an important event expected to kick off the next bull market. Amid conflicting forecasts from analysts, an international media site has lauded the halving and what it means for the industry.
Israel vs. Iran: Fear of escalation grips risk markets
Recent reports of an Israeli aerial bombardment targeting a key nuclear facility in central Isfahan have sparked a significant shift out of risk assets and into safe-haven investments.