Serbia Watch: Key rate flat at 6.5%, no forward guidance for the next meeting
The Executive Board of the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) decided to keep the key rate at 6.5%, the tenth month in a row, amidst still elevated (though falling) global inflation risks. While a rate cut could be made as soon as in June, we also see risks of a delay until July.
The Executive Board of the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) voted for no change of the benchmark rate for the tenth month in a row, supported by still elevated (though falling) global inflation and uncertainties concerning the energy and commodity prices on the global markets. The previous monetary policy tightening had a positive impact on the pricing and lending volumes of the private sector, while supporting financial conditions stabilization. Further, NBS views that global headline inflation is losing its pace, and it would return to the inflation target in the H2. Thus, the institution expects the European Central Bank (ECB) will start cutting the key rate in June while the Federal Reserve (Fed) will postpone the decision until late 2024. ECB rate cuts will have a positive impact on the euro-indexed loans in Serbia, given still high lending euroization. NBS stresses monetary policy should maintain a cautious position due to the volatile sentiment of the oil prices driven by the geopolitical risks, less oil supply from OPEC countries and other factors.
In general, NBS is satisfied with the domestic inflation deceleration (March: 5%), both headline and core inflation, the trend is supported by the food prices deceleration and a slowdown in the one-year inflationary expectations of the financial sector and corporates. The institution reiterated its view on inflation entering the inflation target (3% +/-1.5 pp) already in May.
NBS, stresses that future monetary policy decisions will depend upon inflation slowdown, yet it will also take care of maintaining financial stability and a favourable economic outlook.
Although, as usual, NBS did not give clear guidance when the first-rate cuts could be expected, we give a 50% chance that the rate will be cut by 25bp at the June meeting supported by the inflation entering into the inflation target and robust GDP growth (Statistical office flash estimate) of 4.6% yoy in Q1. However, we also see high risks that the rate cut could be delayed to July, following the first ECB rate cut and thus after analyzing the impact of the ECB decision on the FX lending in Serbia. In the end, the rate cut cycle is approaching, and it is only a question of a particular month when the decision will be delivered.
Post 
Email
Ljiljana GRUBIC
Serbia Ljiljana joined Raiffeisen in 2001 as specialist for banking credit risk analyses, later enlarging its focus to municipalities and insurance credit risk analyses. In 2007 she moved to research team, becoming equity research analysts and afterwards in 2010 expanding its analytical skills to macro-economic analyses, becoming Economic Research Specialist. Her long experience in macro-economic analyses and forecasts was lauded by FocusEconomics awards, three years in a row, and her promotion to Chief Economist role. She is a speaker at corporate/investors conferences and roadshows organized within the Raiffeisen bank. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling and painting.
The Executive Board of the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) decided to keep the key rate at 6.5%, for the ninth month in a row. Local price developments support a scenario of a rate cut already in Q2 but upside risks for US rates may affect the timing of first cuts by NBS. |
We are eagerly awaiting next week's Fed and SNB meetings and the signals they will send to currency markets. Hawkish signals from the Fed would push EUR/USD back towards a stronger dollar, while interest rate speculation about the SNB has currently given EUR/CHF an upward boost. For Poland, the question of interest rate cuts still does not arise, which has given the PLN a tailwind, among other things. The recent weakness of the HUF, on the other hand, could reduce the MNB's room for manoeuvre. This shows once again that the interplay between exchange rates and central banks is not a one-way street. This issues features
|
The monthly dynamics in retail prices accelerated further in February (+0.6% mom) after 0.3% mom growth in January. Annualized print slowed to 5.6% yoy, down from 6.4% yoy in January. |
The Executive Board of the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) decided to keep the key rate unchanged at 6.5%, amidst the still elevated geopolitical risks. We continue to expect a launch of gradual cuts in Q2. |
The monthly dynamics in retail prices accelerated moderately in January 2024 (+0.3% mom) after 0.1% mom in December 2023. The annualized print slowed to 6.4% yoy, down from 7.6% yoy in December 2023. |