Reserve Bank of Australia keeps rates steady at 3.25%

 The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has defied calls and expectations for a rate cut and kept the nation’s official interest rate steady at 3.25% at its November board meeting. The decision follows a 25 basis point cut at the last October board meeting which was attributed to a softer global growth outlook, weaker commodity prices and Australia's employment market, according to the (Finance News Network). RBA Governor Glenn Stevens said today's decision to keep rates on hold was due to slightly higher than expected prices data and slightly more positive information on the world economy. However Governor Stevens has also forecast global growth to be a little below average for a time and warned risks to the outlook still seen to be on the downside, largely due to the situation in Europe But Governor Stevens says risks elsewhere seem more balanced with the US recording moderate growth, recent data from China suggesting growth has stabilised and a mixed picture for Australian commodity prices. In Australia the RBA believes most indicators suggest growth has been running close to trend over the past year, led by very large increases in capital spending in the resources sector. As a result, the RBA has judged the stance of monetary policy is appropriate for the time being.