Rates 'to go up by end of year'

The Reserve Bank is likely to lift interest rates by 25 basis points this year, putting the brakes on an economy fuelled by China's insatiable demand for resources.

House_For_Sale_Melb_0309_L_getty_10465231


HSBC's chief economist Paul Bloxham says if the central bank doesn't raise official interest rates at its meeting tomorrow, it is likely to do so before the end of the year.

Mr Bloxham has told ABC's Inside Business program interest rates need to rise, because the outlook for the economy is very strong, and the next upswing is starting with inflation at a relatively elevated level.

He says it is a close call as to whether they go up this week or in November, but he believes they'll go up by the end of the year by 25 basis points.

Mr Bloxham says the strong dollar will help hold down inflation and shield the economy from more interest rate hikes than would otherwise occur.



Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world