Australia's RBA says Q3 inflation key for November rate call

Sydney

AUSTRALIA'S central bank says coming data on inflation and employment will be critical for interest rates at its next meeting on Nov 1, opening the door to a possible easing in policy.

A cut would surprise markets, which are pricing in only a small chance of an easing this year or next as Australia's A$1.6 trillion (S$1.7 trillion) economy marks a quarter century of growth without recession.

New Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) governor Philip Lowe said policy makers had to "guard" against the risk that sluggish consumer p…