Live: Reserve Bank tipped to hike interest rates to 18-year high

The Reserve Bank's interest rate setting board is today widely expected to lift the cash rate to an 18-year high of 4.85 per cent.

It follows senior central bank officials warning inflation was still too high, which fuelled the expectations of a fifth hike this year.

Follow the day's financial news and insights from our specialist business reporters on our live blog.

Disclaimer: this blog is not intended as investment advice.

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Tue 3 Nov 2026 at 7:21amTue 3 Nov 2026 at 7:21am

Market snapshot

By Emilia Terzon

• ASX 200 futures: +0.9%
• Australian dollar: -0.4% 69.99 US cents
• Wall Street (Friday): S&P 500 -0.1%, Dow +0.7%, Nasdaq -0.5%
• Europe (Friday): Dax +0.6%, FTSE +0.3%, Eurostoxx600 +0.4%
• Spot gold: +1.5% to $US3,955/ounce
• Oil: Brent futures -8.1% to $US104.34/barrel
• Bitcoin: -0.9% $US77,042

Prices current at around 7:15am AEDT.

Live updates on the major ASX indices:

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Tue 3 Nov 2026 at 7:06amTue 3 Nov 2026 at 7:06am

The rates decision that stops the nation

By Emilia Terzon

Good morning, Emilia here to start off our live business and economics blog on what's expected to be a big day of news.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's monetary policy board will deliver its interest rate decision at 2:30pm AEDT.

Expectations are for the cash rate to be raised for a fifth time this year, taking it to 4.85%. That would be its highest setting in 18 years.

Just half an hour later, jockeys on horses will leap out of the gates for the 166th Melbourne Cup at 3pm AEDT.

Half an hour after that, RBA governor Michele Bullock will front the media about the rates decision at 3:30pm AEDT.

As always, we appreciate your comments. How are you feeling about today's rates decision?