RBA Lifts Cash Rate to 3.85%

By Sophia Rodrigues

Published On 03 Feb 2026 , 02:37 PM

The Reserve Bank of Australia raised the cash rate by 25bps to 3.85%, marking a quick turnaround from a 25bps cut delivered in August 2025.

The outcome is in line with CB Intel's expectation since late November, the RBA is likely to lift the cash rate as soon as February. The decision was unanimous, also in line with CB Intel's expectation.

The rate rise was in response to an acceleration in inflation, which "reflects greater capacity pressures."

"As a result, the Board considers that inflation is likely to remain above target for some time," the RBA's statement said.

LATEST SNIPPETS

Australia Oct Labor Data Dovish for RBA Dec Meeting

Australia's unemployment rate rose to 5.3% in October from 5.2%, due to 19,000 fall in employed numbers. This was...

Published on : 14 Nov 2019 , 12:00 AM
Why RBNZ will Hold OCR at 1%

I am a bit surprised with market reaction to RBNZ's inflation expectations survey yesterday. While I acknowledge...

Published on : 13 Nov 2019 , 12:00 AM
Market Pricing for RBNZ Cut --How Much is "Will do"?

In their markets outlook on Nov 11, economists at BNZ wrote, "RBNZ shouldn’t cut this week but probably wi...

Published on : 13 Nov 2019 , 12:00 AM
What does RBA's Gentle Turning Point Refer to?

RBA Governor Philip Lowe first referred to gentle turning point at the Parliamentary testimony in August when he said...

Published on : 07 Nov 2019 , 12:00 AM
Expect Dovish RBA Statement, Refined Forward Guidance

It is very unusual for both market and economists to be strongly expecting a particular outcome (hold) for a RBA boar...

Published on : 05 Nov 2019 , 12:00 AM
Australia: More Reason to Buy vs Rent Dwelling

More reason to buy vs rent? For the first time since at least 2007, gross rental yields for properties in Australia&#...

Published on : 01 Nov 2019 , 12:00 AM
Will RBA Debate Further Easing at Nov Meeting?

Even before the RBA Nov board meeting begins, I am curious to find out if there will be a vigorous debate about...

Published on : 30 Oct 2019 , 07:21 AM
RBA Should Cut Now to Avoid QE

A few weeks back I wrote an article about how in theory the RBA could avoid QE, but to do so requires continuation of...

Published on : 31 Oct 2019 , 07:15 AM
Australia: Housing Group Numbers Disappoint Most in CPI

The most disappointing numbers in Australia Q3 CPI are the ones for housing group. Rent rose 0.4% y/y (and below 1.0%...

Published on : 30 Oct 2019 , 07:13 AM
Challenges of Communication. AOFM Tender Doesn't Sell Fully

Challenges of communication!

This morning a 3-mo Aussie T-note auction received lukewarm response --A$936m...

Published on : 24 Oct 2019 , 07:08 AM