Inflationary forces continued to intensify in key regions, which suggested inter- est rates could be raised more quickly and more aggressively than previously anticipated. The likelihood of rising borrowing costs also appeared to spook equity markets, which performed poorly over the month.
Trimmed mean inflation – the Reserve Bank of Australia’s preferred underlying measure of price increases – rose 1.4% in the March quarter; almost double the official forecast from as recently as February.
On an annual basis, inflation has quickened to 3.7%; up from 2.5% in the December quarter and well above the Reserve Bank of Australia’s 2%
to 3% target range.
A rally in the second half of the month helped global share markets generate solid gains in January, extending the rally from November and December.
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