James Glynn

New Zealand's inflation rate returned to within the central bank's target band for the first time since early 2021 in the third quarter, opening a path to more supersized interest-rate cuts in coming months.

The Reserve Bank of Australia isn’t keen on joining the rush to cut interest rates just yet, amid concerns that the Australian economy is still too lively to guarantee that inflation will sustainably return to target.

Australia’s central bank is likely to be sidelined until well into next year, with financial markets not pricing in an interest- rate cut until around April or May because inflation remains too high.

Australian consumer confidence fell a little last week, but remained much stronger over the last month, as a solid jobs market and growing anticipation of an eventual fall in mortgage interest rates bolsters the mood of households.

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Michele Bullock presides over a central bank that has yet to cut interest rates.

Australian retail rose strongly in October which could further dent hopes of an interest-rate cut from the Reserve Bank of Australia by early next year.

Australia’s commodity-rich economy grew by less than expected in the third quarter stoking concerns that it might still be at risk of sinking into recession over coming quarters, with interest rates set to remain high for some time.

As the Reserve Bank of Australia prepares to move forward under a new dual-board structure from early next year, there’s far more at stake than meets the eye.

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s monetary policy board is expected to operate with greater transparency, deepen debate and actively challenge the central bank’s policy stance when necessary.

New Zealand’s economy contracted sharply in the third quarter, extending a bleak period of sustained recession for the South-Pacific nation, but most economists agree that the wheels of change are in motion and the outlook for 2025 will be substantially brighter.