RBA cuts to record low as reporting season gets underway

Firstly, Australia no longer has the mining boom to support prices in the economy. This drag is most apparent in nominal GDP which is actually growing slower than real GDP—a very rare occurrence.

Secondly, Australia is a small open economy and is beholden to global economic forces. The global economy is currently battling outright deflation, and Australia can only swim against the tide for so long.

Thirdly, the Australian economy is facing increased competition in some key industries which is putting downward pressure on prices. These include the NBN disrupting the telco industry and international competition entering the local retail industry.

Finally, wages growth is at historic lows. This is partially due to the weak nominal GDP growth environment but also the switch from high paying mining jobs to lower paying and mostly casual services jobs.

Is the RBA finished cutting rates? Given the persistent nature of some of these disinflationary forces, in my view, it is unlikely that the RBA has finished cutting rates. Rates are indeed heading even lower.

A key factor in the RBA’s decision will be the Australian dollar. Surprisingly, the AUD actually rose after the RBA’s rate cut which is a strange outcome until you consider the broader global monetary environment.

Currently, the ECB, BoE, and BoJ are all undertaking, or expected to undertake, additional easing and the Fed is on a very gradual tightening path. With Australia’s still relatively high interest rates, it is hard to see a structurally lower AUD anytime soon which will be a challenge for some companies going forward.

As we head into the critical August reporting period, where the report card on the health of Australian companies are dissected publicly, a persistently lower cash rate is important to help drive a broad-based recovery for corporate profits.

Written by George Boubouras and contributed by Contango Asset Management:  (VIEW LINK)