Stronger-than-expected Australian June employment prompted interest-rate markets to lift bets on a Reserve Bank of Australia August rate hike. At market open odds of an August move were 25% and odds of a hike in the remainder of 2026 were 80%; after

2026-07-23

Stronger-than-expected Australian June employment prompted interest-rate markets to lift bets on a Reserve Bank of Australia August rate hike. At market open odds of an August move were 25% and odds of a hike in the remainder of 2026 were 80%; after the data these rose to 33% and 95%, respectively. IG market strategist Tony Sycamore said the RBA would be concerned about a tightening labor market while inflation remains elevated.