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On the 2nd of July we saw the Reserve Bank cut the official cash rate again by 0.25%, pushing rates down to a new record low of 1%.
But despite those all-time lows we believe investors can expect rates to fall even further.
Wait and see
The RBA’s decision to cut rates follows its move to lower rates by 0.25% to 1.25% in June – the first cut since August 2016.
The RBA is concerned that unemployment is too high. It wants to reduce unemployment to stimulate wages growth and inflation. The June cut was unlikely on its own to achieve that objective.
The RBA will probably now sit back and wait to see the impact of the two cuts they’ve put through in the past few months.
More cuts to come
But we do expect another cut later this year and then probably another cut early next year, ultimately taking the official cash rate down to 0.5%.
There are a number of reasons why we believe more cuts are on the cards:
While the Australian economy is growing and is not in recession, growth is running well below potential. Since the June cut we have seen softish jobs growth and GDP numbers.
We think that unemployment will drift up a little bit from here to 5.5% by year-end, which will act as a dampener on wages growth.
At the same time, the downturn in the housing sector is affecting growth. While house prices seemed to have bottomed, we’re still seeing weakness emerging in housing construction and that obviously flows through to the broader economy.
Weak housing, sluggish growth and rising unemployment all come at a time when there are risks to the global economy, including the US/China trade war and tensions with Iran.
All of those factors will keep economic growth somewhat constrained and therefore ultimately see the RBA cut interest rates further.
What does that mean for investors?
While recent gains in Australian shares leave them vulnerable to a short-term pullback, we remain optimistic on shares on a six to 12-month view, in part due to easing by central banks like what the RBA is doing now.
The likelihood of further RBA cuts to the official cash rate, taking them as low as 0.5%, means cash and bank deposits are likely to produce poor returns.
And with the RBA set to cut rates more than the US Federal Reserve, the $A is likely to fall further to around US$0.65 this year.
So, while the latest RBA decision to cut rates has seen them fall to record lows, investors should consider factoring in even more cuts in the next six to 12 months.
Dr Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy and Economics and Chief Economist at AMP Capital is responsible for AMP Capital’s diversified investment funds. He also provides economic forecasts and analysis of key variables and issues affecting, or likely to affect, all asset markets.
Important note: While every care has been taken in the preparation of this article, AMP Capital Investors Limited (ABN 59 001 777 591, AFSL 232497) and AMP Capital Funds Management Limited (ABN 15 159 557 721, AFSL 426455) makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of any statement in it including, without limitation, any forecasts. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This article has been prepared for the purpose of providing general information, without taking account of any particular investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs. An investor should, before making any investment decisions, consider the appropriateness of the information in this article, and seek professional advice, having regard to the investor’s objectives, financial situation and needs. This article is solely for the use of the party to whom it is provided.
