Hold or hike? Economists divided on whether RBA will raise interest rates for 11th consecutive time

Some economists predict the Reserve Bank will raise interest rates again in April, while others think the rate rises have not yet hit their peak. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

The Reserve Bank of Australia faces its most challenging interest rate decision on Tuesday since it began raising borrowing costs last May, with economists divided on whether a record 11th consecutive hike or a pause will result.

The RBA’s board will release its verdict at 2.30pm AEST. The ANZ and NAB predict the central bank will raise its cash rate a further 25 basis points to 3.85%, as do nine other economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.