Sydney, 3 November 2026 – The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.85% on Tuesday, taking the benchmark to an 18-year high. Six of the nine board members backed the increase, while three preferred to hold rates steady, exposing a division over how much more restraint the economy needs.
For Asian investors with Australian assets, the decision raises the policy benchmark for borrowing and valuation while highlighting pressure on household demand. The split vote does not promise a pause: it shows that policymakers are weighing persistent inflation against weaker employment conditions. Currency and bond positions therefore face both an inflation risk and a growth risk.
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