ASX investors: Is the RBA done hiking interest rates?

Today's GDP numbers bode well for inflation…

Magnifying glass on percentage signs.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Yesterday's big ASX news out of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) was… well, that there was no news. For the RBA's final meeting of 2023, the board decided to leave interest rates unchanged at 4.35%.

It was no doubt a welcome move for Australians who have had to endure a cascade of interest rate rises over 2022 and 2023, the most recent being just last month.

This latest move has arguably been good news for ASX shares and the share market. Not too many people were expecting the RBA to change rates yesterday. And, as we covered earlier this week, inflation looks like it is trending down. Not only in Australia but across the advanced economies of the world.

As such, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has spent the past week pushing higher, as optimism replaces pessimism.

But more forward-thinking investors might be asking themselves whether the RBA is really done with the rate hikes. After all, we've heard this song before. It was only a few months ago that investors had seemingly called the ceiling for interest rates, only to be caught off guard by sticky inflation.

Well, as we've just implied, making predictions in this arena is notoriously difficult. Even the most highly trained economists struggle to accurately predict where economic indicators like inflation and interest rates will lead to next. There are simply far too many variables in the global economy to speak with certainty about these matters.

Saying that, we can still point out a few factors here.

Why did the RBA leave interest rates on hold yesterday?

Firstly, yesterday's statement from the RBA accompanying its decision to leave rates on hold held quite a few clues.

I'll quote some of them below so you can draw a conclusion:

The monthly CPI indicator for October suggested that inflation is continuing to moderate, driven by the goods sector…

Wages growth is not expected to increase much further and remains consistent with the inflation target, provided productivity growth picks up. Conditions in the labour market also continued to ease gradually, although they remain tight…

Higher interest rates are working to establish a more sustainable balance between aggregate supply and demand in the economy. The impact of the more recent rate rises, including last month's, will continue to flow through the economy. High inflation is weighing on people's real incomes and household consumption growth is weak, as is dwelling investment…

Whether further tightening of monetary policy is required to ensure that inflation returns to target in a reasonable timeframe will depend upon the data and the evolving assessment of risks.

Now these statements aren't too precise. But, at least to me, they seem to indicate that the RBA is increasingly confident that inflationary pressures are easing. If that does turn out to be the case, there may indeed be no need for any future rate hikes.

Australian GDP numbers point to "unexpected slowdown"

Secondly, we've just seen the latest economic growth figures for the Australian economy released. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australian gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.2% over the three months to 30 September 2023. That translates into an annual growth rate of 2.1%.

According to eToro market analyst Farhan Badami, this 0.2% growth figure means that "Australia experienced an unexpected slowdown in its economy".

The ABS noted several interesting factors at play here:

  • Household savings are at their lowest point since 2007
  • Household spending was flat during the quarter
  • Exports fell during the quarter
  • The largest driver of growth was government spending and capital investment

Katherine Keenan, ABS head of national accounts, stated "this was the eighth straight rise in quarterly GDP, but growth has slowed over 2023".

So all signs are pointing to a slowing economy. And that means that the pressure on inflation, and thus on interest rates, would be slowing too.

Of course, these things can turn on a dime. If there is a spike in oil prices, a spending surge at Christmas, or a huge fall in the Australian dollar, it could compel the RBA to resume its hikes. But signs are arguably, if tentatively, pointing to what the RBA is looking for.

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Economy

A blockchain investor sits at his desk with a laptop computer open and a phone checking information from a booklet in a home office setting.
Economy

Major bank slashes interest rates 6 days ahead of RBA decision

What does this mean for investors?

Read more »

Businessman using a digital tablet with a graphical chart, symbolising the stock market.
Economy

How could Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' affect the stock market?

Markets don't seem worried about this bill, but that could change.

Read more »

A female financial services professional with a manicured black afro hairstyle turns an ipad screen to show a client across the table a set of ASX shares figures in graph format.
Economy

Westpac becomes the latest big 4 bank to predict a July rate cut

What does this mean for investors?

Read more »

Oil rig worker standing with a clipboard.
Economy

What does the changing oil price mean for the ASX 200?

Oil continues to wobble with the tensions seen on the world stage.

Read more »

Falling yellow arrow with descending wooden bars with the percentage sign written on them.
Economy

CBA predicts July rate cut after inflation comes in lower than expected

The latest inflation numbers are good news for homeowners.

Read more »

A man in a suit looks serious while discussing business dealings with a couple as they sit around a computer at a desk in a bank home lending scenario.
Economy

Why does KPMG think the RBA will cut interest rates this year?

Interest rates continue to dominate the investment narrative in 2025.

Read more »

Smiling woman looking through a window.
Economy

Aussie business confidence is down. What does this mean for FY26?

What's the outlook for businesses heading into the new financial year?

Read more »

Multiple percentage signs in the palm of a man's hand.
Economy

Why one economist believes the RBA could accelerate rate cuts

Where does this leave ASX investors?

Read more »