THE Reserve Bank board has cut rates by a quarter of a percentage point to a record low of 2.5 per cent. The cut, widely tipped by the majority of economists, comes after low June quarter inflation figures were followed with bearish rhetoric from Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens last week.
Mr Stevens said subdued business confidence was a concern and needed to improve in order to help rebalance Australia's economy as the mining investment boom winds down.
"There are clearly signs of policy working in this respect, though not, to date, by so much that we see a serious impediment to further easing, were that to be appropriate from an overall macro-economic point of view," he said.
Mr Stevens' comments indicated a cut was on the cards at the RBA's August meeting, HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham said.
"The first critical piece of information he gave us was that the RBA's interpretation was that inflation is low enough to leave them with scope to cut rates further," Mr Bloxham said. "The other part of the story was a fairly downbeat take on the rebalancing that's happening in Australia's economy."RP Data national research director Tim Lawless said the further reduction in the cash rate comes at a time when the housing market is already responding to the low debt servicing environment.
"Since the housing market reached a recent low point in May last year we have seen dwelling values rise by 6.5 per cent. That equates to a gross profit of around $30,000 for the average home owner.
"Transaction numbers are up by almost 18 per cent compared with the same time last year which highlights that home buyers, particularly investors and upgraders, are moving off the sidelines and into active buying mode."
Mr Lawless said the difficulty for the RBA going forward will be how to keep a lid on excessive housing market growth while also providing sufficient stimulus for the broader economy.
Lower mortgage rates are likely to provide further motivation for buyers to become active, however with values rising it is going to be more difficult for prospective owners, particularly those without equity behind them, to come up with a deposit.
This affordability challenge is likely to be most felt by the first home buyer segment and it may be the factor that continues to prevent prospective first time buyers from entering the housing market, he said.
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