The Shadow Board is divided over whether the Reserve Bank should increase the Official Cash Rate (OCR) in the May Monetary Policy Statement. A larger number of Shadow Board members viewed an OCR increase of 25 basis points to 5.50 percent is warranted, given domestic inflation pressures remain high and the upside risk to inflation due to the weather events earlier this year. The rest of the Shadow Board members recommend the Reserve Bank should keep the OCR at 5.25 percent. One member highlighted that household inflation expectations are already heading in the right direction, and monetary policy takes time to have an impact. One was also concerned about the continued decline in profitability for businesses as consumers are increasingly more cautious about spending.
There was a divergence in views amongst the Shadow Board on where the OCR should be in twelve months. They reflect the different concerns held by the Shadow Board members about the economic outlook for the coming year. Recent developments, such as weaker Government tax revenue and consumer spending, and continued declines in business profitability, point to a slowing in the New Zealand economy. Two members also pointed out the potential upside risk to inflation from rising net migration inflows and any new fiscal stimulus in the new Budget, which the Reserve Bank should keep their eyes on.
Table 1 Particpants’ comments
Participant comments are optional
| Stephen Toplis | As we approach a turning point, the margin for error grows. The relative supply/demand impact of migration is a huge uncertainty and could well be the key determining factor for the next year or so. Keep an eye on the state of fiscal stimulus too. |
| Viv Hall | No comment. |
| Kirk Hope | No comment. |
| Jarrod Kerr | The Kiwi economy has turned sharply over the last 6 months. Government revenues, through corporate tax and GST, are coming in below forecast. The downshift in the Govt’s coffers confirms the downshift in spending on Kiwibank credit and debit cards. Household consumption has cooled, and looks to be contracting. The recession the RBNZ says we have to have is upon us. |
| Jo Tozer | Rising costs and cautious consumer spending are hitting businesses hard. MYOB’s 2023 Business Monitor reveals 45% of SMEs saw their profitability decline in the last three months and revenue for the past 12 months is down for 1/3 of local operators. Over a third of the SMEs concerned about the impact of rising interest rates on their business finances, said they’d need to dip into their personal finances for their business if interest rate increases continue. |
| Arthur Grimes | No comment. |
| Kelly Eckhold | No comment. |
| Kerry Gupwell | While overall inflation seems to have peaked, domestic (non-tradable) inflation remains a concern and cyclone Gabrielle hasn’t helped. It will be interesting to see what the May budget reveals as well – especially in an election year. On balance, I think another 25 basis points increase in the OCR is warranted, although there are signs that companies and households are starting to tighten their belts. |
| Dennis Wesselbaum | PPI and CPI are falling, mortgage repayment liabilities are increasing, jobseeker support is up, and so is hardship assistance. CPI is still outside the target range, but median household inflation expectations are moving in the right direction. Given the lags of monetary policy, I would stop increasing the OCR. |
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