RBA Forecast 2016: Stevens to look for alternative to boost growth

The Reserve Bank of Australia at its December 1st meeting left its cash rate unchanged at 2 per cent as it feels prospects for the economy have improved recently. RBA governor Glenn Stevens agreed with the reasons for leaving the rates steady. Steven predicted economic downturns from time to time and clarified that in taking decision on rate cuts, he will be ‘guided by what was effective.’ 

RBA’s projections for the next fiscal year

Australia's central bank softened its economic outlook for 2016. The economy was expected to be growing between 2.5 and 3.5 per cent by the end of 2016, and by 3 to 4 per cent by the end of 2017. The RBA has trimmed its 2016 figures to 2.5-3.5 per cent, from 2.75-3.75 per cent, expecting it to gradually increase to 3.0-4.0 per cent by the end of 2017. The RBA sees underlying inflation at around 2 per cent for most of next year and then gradually increase to around the middle of the 2 to 3 per cent target range. "The outlook for inflation may afford scope for further easing of policy should that be appropriate," the RBA said. 

Mining investment expected to fall sharply in 2016 after a decade of expansion. Also, the central bank saw little of a material pick up in other sectors. Pick up in non-mining investment seems unlikely in the near term. Resource exports can be expected to be the major growth driver. Lower Australian dollar may continue to favor net service exports.

Employment growth will likely remain relatively strong in 2016 while jobless rate is set to hold steady. The RBA sees unemployment between 6-6.25 per cent over in 2016 and fall gradually in 2017. 

Meanwhile, average national house price growth is expected to come in at 2.3% in 2016. The slower growth can be attributed to the moderation in price growth in both Sydney and Melbourne. 

RBA to continue accommodative policy

Policy makers have reduced borrowing costs by 2.75 per cent since late 2011 to boost industries outside of mining. Interest rates were slashed twice this year and stands currently at 2 per cent. Stevens feels the low interest rates are “acting to support borrowing and spending.” The RBA plans to continue with its accommodative policy as it opined that monetary policy is required to be loose at this juncture when inflation in Australia remains low and the economy has some spare capacity. The low rates have helped the housing sector as well by enhancing construction activity in this sector.  



The economy saw a significant improvement in consumer confidence, which has in turn sent a message across that there is no immediate need to add further stimulus. RBA governor Glenn Stevens said “The board again judged that the prospects for an improvement in economic conditions had firmed a little over recent months and that leaving the cash rate unchanged was appropriate.” 

The economy grew 0.9% to record 2.5 per cent growth in the July-September quarter of 2015 helped by exports of goods and services which moved up 4.6 to contribute 1.0 per cent to the final growth figure. Mining activity was up 5.2. Household final consumption expenditure, which in essence constitutes the largest part of the Australian economy, increased 0.7%. As per the latest data unemployment rate dropped 5.8 per cent in November indicating a robust labor market. The unemployment rate in November was the lowest since May 2014.

Sectors that have disappointed this year

Australia's trade balance came in at $3.3 billion in October, worse than the $2.4 billion deficit estimated by economists and higher than the $2.4 billion deficit recorded in September. Gross fixed capital formation, both from the public and private sectors also declined. Investments in both mining as well as non-mining businesses also remained weak. The investment in the public sector dropped 9.2% on falling military spending; while inventories subtracted 0.1 per cent from GDP growth.

Mining related construction plunged 7.1 per cent. Non dwelling construction in the private sector fell 5.3 per cent. Machinery and equipment spending declined 4.6% on weak business capex report. 

Capital expenditure has fallen three times more than expected in the July-September quarter. Overall investment fell by 9.2 per cent to a dollar value of A$ 31.4 billion, marking the biggest quarterly drop in capex data since 1987.

Governor Stevens looks for alternative method to boost growth

While keeping rates steady, the central bank reiterated that low inflation gave them scope to ease further should a rate cut help support growth. He admitted one way to stimulate growth is by lowering rates. He said he would be “content” to lower rates further if it really made a contribution. He however questioned whether cutting rates is the best solution to all economic woes. He has also warned that cutting rates now would not stimulate the economy the same way as rate cut from very high levels in the 1990s did.

Stevens also believes in considering an alternative method to boost growth. “…may be that you can make it better most effectively by articulating a case for stability, playing to the positive things that are happening, not smashing the savers over the head further, if the relative effect of that stimulating is not as great as it used to be”, he said.

Low inflation keeps door open for more cuts

The central bank lowered its forecast for inflation a little in its latest statement on monetary policy, noting that effects of a decline in the exchange rate were taking a little longer than expected to be impactful. Also, slow wage growth caused domestic costs to pick up slowly. Steven admitted that it is difficult for a central bank alone to create inflation, when other powerful forces are at work. He is however optimistic that as the impact of the decline in mining investment begins to wear out, and the effects of assumed low levels of interest rates and the exchange rate continue to increase, growth will likely pick up. RBA is likely to hold rates steady in 2016 and watch how the double rate cut of 2015 plays out.



Jasmin Argyrou, Aberdeen Asset Management’s senior investment manager aptly said “Low inflation does not provide reason to ease at this time but gives the RBA flexibility to respond should an unexpected shock occur.” 

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