'Inflation Is Too Strong': RBA Hikes Rates for First Time in More than Two Years — as It Happened

Alan Kohler on the rate hike and the RBA’s mistakes - ABC listen

The Reserve Bank cut the cash rate target three times last year, but already there’s a U-turn.  The RBA board is so concerned about inflation sticking around that it has increased interest rates for the first time since 2023. Today, the ABC’s finance expert Alan Kohler on the RBAs failure to bring inflation down to its target and the mistakes it made in 2025.  Featured:  Alan Kohler, ABC finance expert

'Inflation is too strong': RBA hikes rates for first time in more than two years — as it happened

The Reserve Bank's governor acknowledged borrowers would likely be disappointed but warned of a "harder" alternative.

Reserve Bank Of Australia Hikes Rates And Sees Another This Year

The sense of anxiety that hung over the capital markets eased today. Equity markets are higher, and the meltdown in gold and silver brought in new …

Westpac share price climbs as RBA hikes rates — what to watch before the Feb 13 update

Sydney, Feb 3, 2026, 16:56 AEDT — Market closed Westpac shares climbed 1.03% to close at A$39.32 on Tuesday, edging ahead of other major Australian banks following the central bank’s rate hike. The stock fluctuated between A$39.14 and A$39.65, with around 2.46 million shares changing hands. The S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.89%. Commonwealth Bank of Australia gained 1.06%, National Australia Bank added 0.19%, and ANZ Group Holdings was up 0.08%. (Investing…