Rates hike off cards in ’19

Weak GDP growth data likely to stay RBA’s hand

THE chances of a Reserve Bank rate hike in 2019 are receding after falling house prices, tighter lending standards and resolutely sluggish wages contributed to weaker-thanexpected 0.3 per cent economic growth in the last quarter.

GDP growth was well below the June quarter’s 0.9 per cent and fell short of market consensus forecasts, which had predicted quarterly growth of 0.6 per cent and an annual improvement of 3.3 per cent.

Growth in the 12 months to September slowed to 2.8 per cent, according to data released yesterday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Economists said annual growth for 2018 was now likely to miss the RBA’s 3.5 per cent forecast – possibly coming in below 3.0 per cent – forcing the central bank, under Governor Philip Lowe (pictured), to delay any hike for fear of further crimping consumption due to increased living costs.

Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said the RBA was now likely to revise its growth forecasts, and could keep the cash rate at its current record low for two full calendar years.

The RBA this week kept the cash rate at 1.5 per cent for a 28th straight month.

“If we are right that the bank will revise down its growth forecasts on the basis of this result, then lower expected growth momentum going into 2020 may also temper the bank’s attitude to rates in 2020 as well,” he said.

Household disposable incomes dipped 0.1 per cent in real terms over the quarter, and have not grown in 2018.

Household final consumption expenditure increased 0.3 per cent during the quarter, contributing 0.2 percentage points to GDP growth.

The slight increase in household consumption was driven by spending on food, insurance and other financial services, transport services and health. But spending on durable goods such as cars, furnishings and household equipment, and clothing and footwear fell, while the household saving ratio fell.

Home prices in Sydney have fallen 9.5 per cent since their peak last year. Melbourne is following suit, leaving consumers tightening belts as they feel less wealthy or are unable to respond to rising repayments by offloading properties.

New home building activity declined 0.8 per cent in the quarter following gains of 3.5 per cent and 3 per cent in the previous periods.

Net exports contributed 0.3 percentage points on a decline in imports, farm output fell 1 per cent and business investment dropped 1.9 per cent.