Breman: RBNZ considered raising rates relatively early, including today

The Monetary Policy Committee today agreed to hold the OCR at 2.25 percent. Since the February Monetary Policy Statement, events in the Middle East have materially altered the outlook and the balance of risks for inflation and economic growth in New Zealand. In the near term, inflation is expected to increase and the economic recovery to weaken. The Committee is vigilant to any generalised inflationary pressure and stands ready to act to return inflation to its medium-term target. The Middle East conflict has disrupted global supply chains, leading to significantly higher prices for oil and refined petroleum products. As a result, near-term inflation is increasing and economic growth is weakening in many countries. Global financial markets have been volatile and market interest rates have increased. In New Zealand, the extent of the near-term increase in headline inflation will depend on how the conflict in the Middle East evolves and the magnitude and duration of the disruption to global supply chains and energy markets. Medium-term inflationary pressure will depend on the extent to which higher costs influence price- and wage-setting behaviour by firms and workers in the economy. If medium-term inflation expectations increase, then inflation is likely to become more persistent. However, The Monetary Policy Committee today agreed to hold the OCR at 2.25%. • War in the Middle East has disrupted global supply chains, raising fuel prices. • Inflation is expected to increase in the short term and the economic recovery to weaken. The extent to which inflation… pic.twitter.com/3jrcuCgdUW RBNZ: Should these conditions not hold, timely and decisive increases in the OCR would be warranted. RBNZ: BY KEEPING THE OCR UNCHANGED, THE COMMITTEE IS WEIGHING THE BENEFITS OF ACTING EARLY AGAINST THE RISK OF UNNECESSARILY CONSTRAINING THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY. ... RBNZ: The Committee continues to monitor for widespread inflationary pressures and is prepared to take action if necessary to bring inflation under control.

Breman: No one strongly pushed for raising rates at today’s RBNZ meeting. Breman: Reserve Bank of NZ not near a rate hike at today’s meeting. RESERVE BANK OF NZ GOVERNOR: TIGHTER FINANCIAL CONDITIONS EXPECTED TO MODESTLY DAMPEN GROWTH. ... RESERVE BANK OF NZ GOVERNOR SAYS NEUTRAL RATE LIES WITHIN A RANGE, CENTERED AT 3.0%. ... RBNZ Governor: Frequency of rate hikes could be every meeting or every second meeting, it depends.