National Australia Bank forecast a February 2024 RBA cash rate rise (& December is live)

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National Australia Bank forecast a February 2024 RBA cash rate rise (& December is live)

National Australia Bank had been forecasting yesterday's RBA cash rate hike months in advance, well ahead of nearly all other analysts.

In brief from the NAB on what they expect from the RBA ahead:

• We now expect another 25bp hike most likely in February after the Q4 CPI, and we also think rates cuts are unlikely to begin until November 2024 (previously August 2024)

A bit more details, summary key points:

• The RBA delivered on expectations for a rate rise at its November meeting - taking the cash rate to 4.35%.
  Reflecting recent data, the staff's inflation outlook has been revised up and we now see one further rise as
  likely to balance the risks, pencilling in a 4.6% rate peak in February, though December is live.
  
• As expected, the re-acceleration in underlying inflation in Q3 as well as ongoing resilience in consumer
  spending and the labour market has forced a material upwards revision to the RBA's forecasts - not just in
  the near term but through the profile. Unemployment now peaks lower and inflation returns to the top of
  the target range only at the end of 2025. The full staff forecasts will be released Friday.
  
• Recent communication from Governor Bullock has made clear the Board was already at the limit of its
  tolerance for inflation remaining above target. Given the revisions to the outlook, we expect the Board to
  form the view that a single 25bp adjustment to rates is not enough to mitigate the risks on inflation -
  seeing a further rise, most likely in February after the Q4 CPI.
  
• Looking further ahead, given the resilience of the economy and labour market thus far we now see rate
  cuts as unlikely to begin until November (previously August) with gradual cuts through 2025 and early 2026
  to 3.1%, around the long-run neutral level.

                This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.

Source: National Australia Bank forecast a February 2024 RBA cash rate rise (& December is live)

forexlive.com