Lowe Speech Confirms Getting Closer To A Pause, But Peak In Rates Not Reached

RBA Governor Lowe's speech expands further on the theme that the central bank is getting closer to a pause. This was also hinted in yesterday's policy statement post the 25bps hike.

• Importantly, Lowe noted "....with monetary policy now in restrictive territory, we are closer to the point where it will be appropriate to pause interest rate increases to allow more time to assess the state of the economy."
• Equally though Lowe doesn't expect we have reached a peak in rates "Our judgement, though, remains that further tightening of monetary policy is likely to be required to bring inflation back to target within a reasonable timeframe. Inflation is still too high and while it looks to be on a declining path it is likely to remain higher than target for a few years. If we don’t get inflation down fairly soon, the end result will be even higher interest rates and more unemployment."
• Full link to the speech is here.
• Overall, the speech is consistent with yesterday's monetary policy statement around the likely need for further hikes, but the door is definitely ajar for a pause in the tightening cycle.