MNI POLICY: RBA Minutes See Next Rate Move More Balanced: Text

--RBA See Significant Uncertainties For Econ Outlook

--RBA Repeat Still See No Strong Case For Near-Term Rate Adjustment

     SYDNEY (MNI) - The Reserve Bank of Australia saw the direction of the next

move in interest rates as more balanced than last year, with global risks to the

the economic outlook still a concern.

     Reserve Bank Board members noted there were significant uncertainties

around domestic economic forecasts, with scenarios where an increase in the cash

rate would be appropriate at some point and other scenarios where a decrease in

the cash rate would be appropriate. 

     Moreover, as in February, the probabilities around these scenarios were

seen as more evenly balanced than they had been over the preceding year, when an

eventual increase in the cash rate had appeared more likely.

     Trade tensions and signs of slowing domestic demand remained a risk to the

global outlook, although there was some optimism after planned U.S. tariff hikes

for China were delayed.

     The full text of the February 5 meeting minutes can be found here:

https://tinyurl.com/y2nklb3y

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

[TOPICS: MMLRB$,M$A$$$,M$L$$$]