Rate stay likely, economists wait for policy hints instead
Many economists agreed that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will give weight on the firm movement shown by inflation levels so far and the short term impact of the flooding disaster to the national economy.
Those things in close consideration, the RBA is expected to maintain the current cash rate of 4.75 percent as analysts anticipate the central bank's actual thoughts on low inflation, flood effects to Australia, solid terms of trade and the continuously recovering global economy.
As attention focuses on the likelihood of a stay, economists are waiting for the not so subtle hints of policies set to be encased on RBA's corresponding statement following its announcement on Tuesday afternoon.
Westpac market strategist Imre Speizer told AAP that the market has long conditioned itself that a lift on interest rates will no be forthcoming this February so the news will zero in on "the wording of the statement and how much emphasis they put on the floods and last week's low inflation print."
ANZ economist Dylan Eades agreed that the Queensland flood and the moderating inflation will dominate the central bank's discussion and even its decision, and how such move will deal with the effects of the disaster that ravaged Australia well into the next financial year.
Eades also suggested that economists would want to know the RBA's disposition on the current state of the international economic environment "and whether it acknowledges the encouraging signs out of the US and remains upbeat about China."
Increasing food prices fuelled a temporary jump of 0.4 percent on inflation rates this month but economists said that the RBA will keep the present cash rates level and perhaps decide on a hike by May.
That decision could be largely influenced by the latest TD Securities report, which showed that inflation in the year to January actually settled from the 3.8 percent seen in the previous month to its present pace of 3.4 percent.
Also, the unrests happening in Egypt failed to dampen the improving performance of global currencies, with the Australian dollar continuing its good showing against the US dollar, keeping its over 99 cents trading values as of Monday morning, and the euro signalling that it is gaining more strength this year.