<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/commonwealth-bank" rel="" target="" title="Commonwealth Bank"><span>Commonwealth Bank</span></a><span> has posted a bumper half-year profit better than analysts expected, while at the same time warning millions of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/australia" rel="" target="_blank" title="Aussies"><span>Aussies</span></a><span> that they could face more </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/interest-rates" rel="" target="_blank" title="interest rate"><span>interest rate</span></a><span> pain this year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Speaking to investors this morning following the release of the company's half-year results, chief executive Matt Comyn warned high inflation could force the Reserve Bank to increase interest rates in the coming months.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The bank has already predicted another rate rise in May, after the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/finance/rba-interest-rates-live-updates-february-2026-decision-latest-news-headlines/cec87747-a086-4fb9-aab2-29f5790794d1" rel="" target="" title="RBA increased the cash rate to 3.85 per cent last week"><span>RBA increased the cash rate to 3.85 per cent last week</span></a><span>, the first rise since 2023.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-politics-superannuation-tax-changes/65f1d495-0758-4105-b2bb-4d4e11cee28f" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>More than a million Aussies on verge of major superannuation boost</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Inflation is now expected to remain above the Reserve Bank's target band for some time, placing further upward pressure on interest rates," Comyn said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Those comments came as CBA announced a $5.4 billion profit in the first half of the 2025-26 financial year, a 6.3 per cent increase compared to the second half of last year and more than what analysts had expected.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The company's share price rose about 12 per cent on the back of the announcement.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/finance/commonwealth-bank-profit-australia-interest-rate-rise-warning/67a98e30-6af1-401f-8b20-6bbed4c649db" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>CBA's outlook outlined that the Australian economy continues to recover faster and stronger than expected, citing rising household spending and investment in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/artificial-intelligence" rel="" target="_blank" title="AI"><span>AI</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/gold-silver-purchases-can-cause-trouble-at-tax-time/fd653739-2364-4711-9f62-1a93490b9f60" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Why investing in gold and silver can trip you up at tax time</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, it also said low unemployment was putting pressure on inflation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-gen-z-saving-money-finance/2997d3ed-70ca-4f75-8f05-8fd79a32ce5c"><strong><span>Have Gen Z finally defied the smashed avo stereotype?</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Comyn said the bank has benefited from those stronger economic conditions, but acknowledged many Aussies would still be feeling financial pressure.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"A strong labour market and, until recently, easing interest rates, have provided some relief for borrowers, and our credit quality has improved," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"While conditions remain challenging for some customers, recent improvements in economic activity reinforce the resilience of the Australian economy."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><p><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1"><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></p></li><li><p><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a 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