RBA to hold rates in May, only cut once by end-year- Reuters poll

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Australia's central bank will hold its key policy rate at 4.35% for a fourth straight meeting on Tuesday and at least until end-September, according to a Reuters poll of economists who forecast just one interest rate cut this year. That change in expectations from two 25 basis point cuts in an April survey follows news inflation fell less than expected last quarter and the labour market remains tight. Although inflation slowed to 3.6% from 4.1% previously, it was not expected to fall below the Reserve Bank of Australia's 2-3% target range until 2025, suggesting the central bank will have to hold rates higher for longer.