A concern for central banks is to keep inflation expectations anchored.

In a nutshell, and I've covered this before:

  • The argument is that inflation expectations can become self-fulfilling.
  • I think its more relevant during times of increasing inflation - people see inflation rising so they tend to buy more quickly, thus prompting prices to rise faster.
    People expect faster inflation (i.e. its 'unanchored' ... rising quickly)
  • On the flipside, if inflation is either very low or in deflation (i.e. general falling prices), people hold off purchasing 'cause there is no rush if prices are falling, and again the argument is this behaviour can feed on itself and grow as a problem.
  • People expect falling prices to fall harder ('unanchored')

As you can see from the headline, at 3.5% inflation expectations in Australia have dipped a little, but not 'unanchored' at this stage