Eyes on RBA for rate call hints as jobless numbers rise

要点

• Unemployment rose to a five-year high of 4.7 per cent in September, above economist predictions of 4.6 per cent. Employment fell by almost 40,000, which was softer than expected.
• The data has raised the prospect that the Reserve Bank will hold interest rates steady at its next meeting on Melbourne Cup day. Bank officials are due to speak in coming days, and their comments will be watched closely.
• Last month the central bank lifted the official cash rate to 4.6 per cent, the highest level in 15 years.