Inflation in Australia remained in retreat in the final quarter of 2024, stoking the case for the central bank to join the global easing cycle by cutting rates at its coming meeting in February.

Australian consumer prices rose at the slowest pace in almost four years in the December quarter, while a pullback in housing costs helped cool core inflation and open the door to a cut in interest rates as early as next month.

Australia's annual inflation rate eased to 2.4% in the fourth quarter, down from 2.8% in the previous period and below expectations of 2.5%. Core inflation, the RBA’s preferred inflation gauge, fell to a three-year low of 3.