sign up log in
Want to go ad-free? Find out how, here.

OCR able to be kept at 1.75% into 2018 following unemployment and wage figures, economists say

OCR able to be kept at 1.75% into 2018 following unemployment and wage figures, economists say

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is under no pressure to raise the Official Cash Rate (OCR) until sometime into 2018, economists at New Zealand’s major banks said following Wednesday’s employment and wage data.

Stats NZ figures showed the unemployment rate rose to 5.2% in the December 2016 quarter from 4.9% in September as the number of people seeking work rose, while employment grew 0.8%. Wage growth was steady at 1.6%.

BNZ’s Stephen Toplis told interest.co.nz there was nothing in the data that would have the Reserve Bank scurrying to raise interest rates. BNZ has a mid-2018 rate rise pencilled in.

Toplis noted the RBNZ’s November 2016 forecast of rates not rising through 2019. However, signs core inflation is pushing higher and data showing the economy is “firing on all cylinders” certainly indicates there should be a rate rise within that time-frame, he said.

New Zealand could be said to be in a “nirvana situation” with stronger growth and low inflation as wage pressure is subdued by the growing labour force, he said.

Meanwhile, ANZ economists said today’s data should see the market pause for thought on its pricing of an OCR increase by the end of 2017. “The figures are certainly not weak (labour demand remains strong). But until clearer evidence of stronger wage growth emerges we doubt the RBNZ will want to front-run a tightening cycle,” they said. “Hikes still look more likely to be a 2018 story.”

ASB economists said they continue to expect the RBNZ to hold the OCR at 1.75% at its 9 February Monetary Policy Statement (MPS), with the underlying data showing the labour market is still robust despite the uplift in the headline unemployment rate. “But, just as there are no grounds to cut the OCR, equally there is no reason to expect hastened OCR increases. We expect the RBNZ to be on hold for an extended period, to late 2018,” they said.

Kiwibank economists said the data pointed toward wage growth remaining well capped at current levels, with employers finding it a bit easier to hire staff without having to raise wages. “If wage inflation continues to remain muted then this is likely to slightly dampen the Bank's inflation outlook,” they said. If labour force participation continues to rise without matching strength in employment growth, that implies a little more spare capacity in the labour market than the RBNZ forecast in the November MPS, they said.

The Reserve Bank in November had forecast the unemployment rate to fall further to 4.7% by the March 2017 quarter before settling at 4.5% through 2018 and 2019.

Westpac economists said they doubt Wednesday’s data will be a big surprise for the RBNZ, especially with inflation remaining modest.

We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment.

Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.

6 Comments

New Zealand could be said to be in a “nirvana situation” with stronger growth and low inflation as wage pressure is subdued by the growing labour force, he said.

Hmmmm....Is New Zealand heading down the road to economic decline that Japan has mindlessly trodden?

In fact, no “reflation” iteration is complete without the myriad often large upgrades to economic forecasts. These happen, of course, without much or any of an economic basis, simply because the official stance remains that if any particular economy isn’t right at this moment getting worse it must be getting better (transitory is not just a word for Janet Yellen to use). Nowhere has that assumption been proven so false as Japan. It was after 2013, and nothing has changed in the years since. The only meaningful difference of note is that QQE is no longer really mentioned, which tells us more about the economic abilities of central bankers than it says about the expected “accommodation” from it quietly continuing. Read more

Up
0

I just assumed the Nirvana situation was comparing our economy to Kurt Cobain's rock star ending.

Up
0

Who cares what the RBNZ does when the banks just keep raising interest rates anyway.....

Up
0

Yes the OCR is irrelevant, the banks are clearly just doing their own thing. Interest rates are on the rise.

Up
0

Aussie banks are just ripping off their poor kiwi cuzzie bros for all they can.
Sharpen up NZ you are getting fleased.

Up
0

mhaisabie - yes those Aussie banks fleas bite are real irritating

Up
0