Data points to more rate cuts, says Cigna

Cigna Wealth managing director Kent Leicester said that while statistics released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that the number of home loans approved for July rose by 0.3 per cent, it was well under the market expectation of a 0.7 per cent increase.

Mr Leicester said the RBA should also be concerned by the latest Westpac-Melbourne Institute index which showed that consumer confidence dropped 5.6 per cent in September.

“Continuing stock market volatility, weak domestic economic data and concerns about China’s slowdown and the refugee crisis in Europe are all weighing heavily on consumer sentiment,” he said.

Mr Leicester said a recent online survey by Cigna Wealth found 60 per cent of respondents expect the RBA to lower rates again this year after it made cuts of 25 basis points in both February and May.

“The RBA still has more room to move than most other central banks around the world, so we could see another rate cut, perhaps as soon as next month or on Melbourne Cup day in November,” he said.

“The central bank has form on the board for taking some action on Cup day.”