The big bank forecasts fewer rate hikes from the RBA than consensus expectations.
The post Inflation to ‘peak shortly’: CBA boss says markets have priced in too many rate rises appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia. –
Concerned about rising mortgage costs?
You’re not alone.
But Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) CEO Matt Comyn has some calming words for homeowners and investors worried about fast-rising interest rates following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s hike in the official cash rate last week.
The cash rate went from a historic 0.10% to the current 0.35%, the first increase in more than a decade,
The bond market is forecasting the RBA will ratchet up the cash rate to 2.50% by December with the rate hitting 3.00% next year. That would see monthly mortgage payments increase to levels that will squeeze many household budgets.
But Comyn says CBA’s own forecast is for a significantly smaller increase in the cash rate, believing that inflation levels are about to peak.
What is CBA forecasting for rates?
As the Australian Financial Review reports, CBA’s own interest rate forecasts are far more modest. The bank predicts the cash rate will reach 1.35% by December and level out around 1.60% in mid-2023.
“The speculation about a cash rate the market is pricing in is, in our view, much higher than what is going to unfold,” Comyn said.
According to Comyn (quoted by the AFR):
That is a very big difference in terms of interest rate normalisation. Our clear view is the inflation level is probably going to peak shortly, and inflation is a lagging indicator.
Our central view is we won’t need as much tightening for monetary policy to manage inflation over course of next 12 to 18 months as the market is pricing in. We think, say, four cash rate hikes over the course of the next six months will have a slowing effect and do their job to actually cool demand in the domestic economy.
If CBA has this one right, overstretched homeowners and property investors can breathe a little easier.
How has the big bank been tracking?
CBA released its third-quarter results yesterday, reporting a cash profit of $2.4 billion, flat when compared to the first half quarterly average.
Still, the healthy profit helped CBA shares close up 0.6% yesterday even as the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) closed 1.7% lower.
The post Inflation to ‘peak shortly’: CBA boss says markets have priced in too many rate rises appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Should you invest $1,000 in CBA right now?
Before you consider CBA, you’ll want to hear this.
Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and CBA wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.
*Returns as of January 13th 2022
More reading
Broker says the CBA share price is expensive and a sell
5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
Why CBA, Incannex, Judo Capital, and Orica shares are rising
ASX 200 midday update: CBA’s Q3 update impresses, Xero and Block crash
CBA share price pushes higher on consensus-beating quarterly update
The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
