New Zealand’s Reserve Bank set to raise interest rates, TD and ANZ forecasts align

TD Securities are tipping the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) to raise interest rates again.

TD project a rate hike at the Bank’s meeting this week, on February 28, and again at the May meeting

ANZ are tipping the same:

• ANZ says the RBNZ has no tolerance for delays in the return of inflation to target

TD cite last week’s Q1 Household Inflation expectations data, saying the high expectations is too difficult for the RBNZ to ignore. You’ll recall the big jumps in 2-year and 5-year expectations, raising the dangers of expectations not being anchored:

• RBNZ survey shows household 2-year inflation expectations rising to 3.2% (prior 3.0%)

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So far I’ve seen ANZ and now TD tipping a cash rate hike from the RBNZ this week. ASB and KiwBank are expecting on hold.

• ASB says RBNZ interest rate hike next week is a real possibility – sees a November cut
• RBNZ meet next week, their bark is likely to be worse than their bite – no hike expected

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com. Source