Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Industry / Inflation peaking off, RBI may cut rates by 25 bps in August: BofAML
BackBack

Inflation peaking off, RBI may cut rates by 25 bps in August: BofAML

January inflation stood at 5.1%, a shade below December's 5.2%, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch is tracking February inflation at 4.7% with tomato/onion prices slipping

RBI kept the key policy rate unchanged at 6% for the third consecutive time on 7 February in view of firming inflation. Photo: ReutersPremium
RBI kept the key policy rate unchanged at 6% for the third consecutive time on 7 February in view of firming inflation. Photo: Reuters

New Delhi: Inflation is peaking off and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to cut rates by 25 bps in August if monsoon is normal, says a report. According to global financial services major Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofAML), inflation risks are overdone.

January inflation stood at 5.1%, a shade below December’s 5.2%, and BofAML is tracking February inflation at 4.7% with tomato/onion prices slipping.

“We expect the RBI MPC to look through the jump in inflation to 5.4% in April-June, as it is driven by base effects. Against this backdrop, we expect the RBI MPC to cut rates by a final 25 bps in August if the La Nina materialises," BofAML said in a research note.

The La Nina phenomenon gives a boost to Southwest monsoon. The report further noted that while Budget 2018 has hiked minimum support prices, the inflationary impact is likely to be muted as ruling wholesale prices are already higher than the revised MSP.

“We estimate FY19 (2018-19) average inflation at 4.8% (adjusted for June quarter base effects), well within the RBI’s 2-6% inflation target," the report said.

The Reserve Bank kept the key policy rate unchanged at 6% for the third consecutive time on 7 February in view of firming inflation.

In its policy review meet, RBI said it is expecting retail inflation to rise to 5.1% in the last quarter of the ongoing fiscal due to rising crude oil prices and hike in salary components of government employees.

The central bank has also projected inflation to be in the range of 5.1-5.6% in the first half of 2018-19.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Industry News, Banking News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 13 Feb 2018, 12:58 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App