Polish c.bank could start discussing rate cuts in March, governor says
Recasts with comments on when rate cut discussion could start
WARSAW, Nov 7 (Reuters) -Poland's Monetary Policy Council (MPC) may discuss cutting interest rates when the central bank publishes economic forecasts in March, governor Adam Glapinski said on Thursday, a day after it decided to leave the cost of credit on hold.
The National Bank of Poland's (NBP) main interest rate has been on hold at 5.75% since October 2023, with policymakers sticking to a wait-and-see approach in the face of uncertainty over whether, and to what extent, the government will extend energy price caps for households.
Glapinski has previously said the situation should be clearer in March, allowing discussions about an easing cycle to begin, and he stuck to this position on Thursday.
"Honestly, I would not be surprised if some member of the Council presented a motion after the March projection," he said.
He reiterated that the NBP expected inflation to start falling in the second half of 2025 before returning to its target range of 2.5%, plus or minus one percentage point, in 2026.
The NBP raised its inflation forecast and cut expectations for GDP growth in its November projections, which were published on Wednesday.
Glapinski said that discussions about rate cuts could only begin when inflation had stabilised and forecasts showed it could start to fall.
He added that if the government opted to completely unfreeze energy prices in 2025 then inflation could rise to more than 6% in the first half of 2025, but if prices remained capped at current levels there would only be a modest increase.
He said that core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, could be just above 4% in the months ahead.
Glapinski also said that loose fiscal policy under the government's budget bill for 2025 could delay rate cuts.
Reporting by Alan Charlish, Karol Badohal, Anna Koper, Pawel Florkiewicz, Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by Alex Richardson
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
