RBA expected to give mortgage holders ‘breathing capacity’ on interest rates

<p>But business shouldn’t hold its breath for any immediate effect interest rate cuts might have on spending habits – which can take up to nine months</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/feb/18/australia-news-live-rba-reserve-bank-interest-rates-decision-oscar-jenkins-ukraine-russia-video-nsw-racial-hatred-election-campaign-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-cost-of-living-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></li><li>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></li></ul><p>The Reserve Bank is expected to provide “breathing capacity” to households with mortgages by cutting the official cash rate for the first time since the early days of the Covid pandemic.</p><p>The market is pricing in a 90% chance of a 25 basis point decrease on Tuesday, according to the ASX’s rate indicator, although several economists have warned they expect the decision to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/17/the-rba-is-expected-to-cut-rates-on-tuesday-will-australia-enter-a-new-economic-era-and-what-happens-if-it-doesnt">closer than the odds suggest</a>.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=copyembed">Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email</a></strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/18/rba-interest-rates-february-meeting-decrease">Continue reading...</a>