Chance of rate rise slim across Tasman

SYDNEY - If betting on interest rate movements was legal, the odds of a rise today would be pretty long.

Economists are convinced lower-than-expected inflation levels will convince the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to leave the official cash rate steady.

Nonetheless, home owners and those paying off hefty credit card debts are sure to be nervously waiting for the outcome of the monthly board meeting today.

Not one of 17 economists surveyed by AAP last week expect official interest rates to budge from their current 6.25 per cent.

Even in these buoyant economic times with unemployment at a 32-year low of 4.5 per cent, the consumer price index for the March quarter rose just 0.1 per cent.

- AAP