Australia reports lower-than-expected first-quarter inflation — but price rise highest in 2 years

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 06: Pedestrians and shoppers move along George Street on December 06, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. Lisa Maree Williams | Getty Images News | Getty Images Australia's inflation rate soared to 4.09% in the first quarter, marking its highest level in more than two years. The first-quarter inflation figure was lower than the 4.2% expected by economists polled by Reuters, but it still raises the prospects of an interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank of Australia. …