Key interest rates to be untouched, says RBI report

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to keep key interest rates unaffected on 6 April, while there is scope for a rate cut in the August meet on slow growth and gentle inflation, says a report.

“Still, it will likely keep the door open for further easing with growth slowing, benign inflation and the need to attract FPI inflows by supporting growth,” Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofAML) said in a research note adding “we continue to expect a 25 bps RBI cut on 2 August”.

At the 8 February policy review meet, the RBI kept key interest rates unchanged at 6.25% and said it is awaiting more clarity on inflation trend and the impact of demonetisation on growth.

The report further noted that high lending rates and demonetisation will likely push recovery to the second half of this year and inflation is also likely to remain well within the RBI’s 2-6% target range. Moreover, RBI rate cuts should support the Indian rupee by attracting FPI equity inflows at a time of global uncertainty.

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