RBA Sept meeting minutes: Considered a 25bp rate hike or on hold alternatives

<p>Reserve Bank of Australia September 2023 meeting minutes. </p><ul><li>
Considered raising rates by 25 bps or holding steady at the September
meeting</li><li>Some further
tightening may be required should inflation prove more persistent
than expected</li><li>Case to hold was
stronger, recent data did not materially alter the economic outlook</li><li>Economy still
appears to be on a narrow path by which inflation returns to target,
employment grows</li><li>Members recognize the value of allowing more time to see full effects from past tightening
on the economy</li><li>Policy moves will be
guided by incoming data and assessment of risks</li><li>Concerned about
productivity growth not picking up as anticipated, services inflation
remaining sticky</li><li>Fuel prices rose
sharply in August, could boost headline inflation in Q3</li><li>Members noted that the labour
market remains tight, but could be at a turning point</li><li>Scheduled mortgage
payments rose to a historical high of 9.7% of household income in
July, set to increase further</li></ul><p>Headlines via Reuters</p><p>These two points:</p><ul><li>Fuel prices rose
sharply in August, could boost headline inflation in Q3</li><li>Scheduled mortgage
payments rose to a historical high of 9.7% of household income in
July, set to increase further</li></ul><p>are interesting. Yes, the headline inflation rate will get a bump from rising fuel prices. The rise has continued into September. And discretionary spending is being cut in response to rising mortgage payments. Stick those two together and the outlook for consumption appears to be dire and is likely to weigh on economic growth.</p><p>The full text is here:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/monetary-policy/rba-board-minutes/2023/2023-09-05.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Minutes of the Monetary Policy Meeting of the Reserve Bank Board</a></li></ul><p>–</p><p>Background here:</p><p><a href="https://www.forexlive.com/centralbank/economic-calendar-in-asia-tuesday-19-september-2023-rba-september-meeting-minutes-20230918/" target="_blank" rel="follow" data-article-link="true">Economic calendar in Asia, Tuesday, 19 September 2023 – RBA September meeting minutes</a></p><p><a href="https://www.forexlive.com/centralbank/reserve-bank-of-australia-september-meeting-minutes-are-due-soon-preview-20230919/" target="_blank" rel="follow" data-article-link="true">Reserve Bank of Australia September meeting minutes are due soon – preview</a></p><p>The RBA cash rate vs. the quarterly and monthly CPIs.</p>

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