interest rates

Why Powell went for a double-dip on the guide rate at the world’s most important reserve bank, sans the presence of a significant economic event that would typically predicate it, remains a mystery. What is clear, though, is the near-term direction of rates in US.

A data dependent Fed will eventually need to acknowledge signs of a strengthening global economy, says Neuberger Berman. Bolts of information that sway the central bank will continue to keep market watchers on tenterhooks.

The rate hiking cycle may be reaching its zenith, with inflation showing signs of a plateau. The next few months will be pivotal, Neuberger Berman says, which means accounting for two-way risk is crucial.

In a recent market update Sage lamented the RBA’s recent decision to re-engage interest rake hikes after pausing only a month earlier. Policy outcomes have become confusing, the fund manager noted, with the path to a soft landing becoming even narrower.

The RBA will either take the road that equity markets are pricing in, and try to nail a smooth landing, or follow the road that bond markets anticipate and re-raise interest rates, according to Atrium’s Brendan Paul.

The average annual interest rate on banks’ one- and three- year term deposits has risen to 3.2 per cent from 0.25 per cent over the past year. With markets expecting the official cash rate to peak soon, savers looking to lock in attractive rates will find the best deals with smaller, newer banks, analysts say.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is sticking to its view that inflation will be temporary, despite its poor forecasting track record. Economists aren’t so sure.

Rough day as rate hike hits, Challenger, Seven, Coles offer market updates The ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) finished down 0.4% on Thursday in what some are calling a sell-off after news that the Federal Reserve may hike interest rates earlier than expected, in 2023. Markets took this with a grain of salt, not selling off heavily, ending more focused…

Nasdaq rally, NZ travel bubble, merger activity sends market higher The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) followed a strong US lead on Tuesday, adding 0.8% with the industrials and IT sectors the key drivers. The risk-on mood boosted Afterpay Ltd (ASX:APT) by 10% and competitor Zip Co (ASX:Z1P) by 9.1% after what has been a difficult few months for the BNPL companies. By far the…

During times of fear, investors often become irrational. As the coronavirus pandemic swept through the globe, fear and uncertainty rose, and investors began selling equities looking for shelter, often parking funds in cash until times were better. The problem with holding cash is its susceptibility to inflation, which erodes its value over time. During times…