|

RBA: Wage growth likely to remain low for a while

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is expecting a gradual decline in unemployment to 5 percent over the next couple of years, according to the October policy statement. However, the central bank does not see the labor market tightening translating into wage price inflation for a while. 

Key points (Source: Reuters)

  • Low rates supporting economy
  • Progress on unemployment, inflation expected to be gradual
  • GDP growth to average a bit above 3 pct in 2018, 2019
  • Business conditions are positive
  • Housing markets have slowed in Sydney, Melbourne
  • Public infrastructure investment supporting economy
  • Household consumption a source of uncertainty
  • Outlook for labour market remains positive
  • Credit conditions tighter than they have been for some time
  • Expects inflation to be higher in 2019, 2020
  • Further gradual decline in unemployment expected over the next couple of years to 5 percent
  • Wage growth remains low, likely to continue for a while
  • AUD remains in range of past couple of years
  • AUD has fallen against US dollar, along with most other currencies
  • Drought has led to difficult conditions in farm sector

Author

Omkar Godbole

Omkar Godbole

FXStreet Contributor

Omkar Godbole, editor and analyst, joined FXStreet after four years as a research analyst at several Indian brokerage companies.

More from Omkar Godbole
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD slides as US yields jump before pivotal CPI

The Australian Dollar ended Thursday’s session with a 0.80% loss against the US Dollar after US producer inflation exceeded estimates, triggering pricing for a more hawkish Federal Reserve. The AUD/USD trades at 0.7159 after reaching a peak of 0.7223.

USD/JPY consolidates around 153.50 as bears turn cautious ahead of US inflation

USD/JPY stabilizes above 153.50 during the Asian session on Thursday, but remains near a seven-month low set earlier this week as hawkish BoJ repricing continues to underpin the Japanese Yen. Meanwhile, rising September Fed rate-hike bets and escalating US-Iran tensions help ease US Dollar selling pressure, offering some support to the currency pair ahead of US inflation figures.

Gold remains weak, retargets $4,350

Gold keeps the choppy price action on Thursday, now slipping back toward the $4,350 region per troy ounce amid the robust bounce in the US Dollar as well as rising US Treasury yields across the curve, particularly following US Producer Prices and ahead of Friday’s more relevant US CPI data.

Bitcoin holds steady on positive ETF flows despite short-term holders cashing in

Bitcoin's exchange-traded funds (ETF) demand regime has notably shifted, with 30-day net inflows reaching $21.9 billion, according to a Thursday post by CryptoQuant. The data suggests that the average Bitcoin held through spot ETFs is now in profit, with the realized price of the ETF cohort standing at roughly $72,000 to $73,000.

ECB recap: A hawkish hike despite downside growth risks
The European Central Bank (ECB) increased the Deposit Facility Rate to 2.50%, the Refinancing Rate to 2.65% and the Marginal Lending Facility to 2.90%, effective from September 16. The decision was accompanied by a clear warning that the outlook remains highly uncertain, with risks tilted to the upside for inflation and to the downside for growth.
Venezuela’s 65-billion-barrel Oil deal could reshape America’s inflation fight
The United States (US) has secured unprecedented access to part of Venezuela’s vast Oil reserves. The timing is particularly significant as the war with Iran is disrupting Middle Eastern supplies, keeping energy prices elevated and reviving concerns about inflation.