RBA governor Philip Lowe has told a business conference inflation could reach four per cent-plus as a result of the Ukraine war and the floods in Australia.
Economists are still confident of a further drop in the unemployment rate and a relatively solid rise in employment when the December labour force figures are released on Thursday.
New figures show Australia looks set for solid economic growth in coming months, with unemployment falling further as jobs vacancies surged to an 18-month high.
Australia looks set to enjoy solid economic growth for the rest of what has been a traumatic year, rebounding smartly from the first recession in nearly three decades.
There is growing speculation the Reserve Bank board will endorse a suite of measures to further boost the economic recovery from recession, including trimming the cash rate.
Consumer confidence received a much needed boost from last Friday's three-step plan from the national cabinet to lift coronavirus-related restrictions in the months ahead.
Consumer confidence has experienced a relatively stable six months, while economists expect the unemployment rate to have remained steady at 5.7 per cent in August.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has put a positive spin on the local jobs outlook, but says another rate cut could be on the cards because of weak inflation.
Westpac chief economist Bill Evans has predicted the iron ore price will go over the $100 per tonne mark next year, on the back of improved Chinese consumer confidence.
While most media attention seems focused on iron ore and the major operators, there's a number of smaller players offering plenty of potential across a range of minerals. Here's the WA Business News 10 mining stocks to watch.
