December inflation likely on target, RBNZ set for Feb rate cut

December inflation likely on target, RBNZ set for Feb rate cut
Economists estimated NZ consumer prices lifted 0.5% in the December quarter. (Image: DepositPhotos)
Rebecca Howard
Economists expect annual inflation was in line with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s forecasts in the December quarter, keeping it on track to cut rates by another 50 basis points next month. In November, it forecast annual inflation would be 2.1% in the December quarter versus 2.2% in the September quarter. Westpac Bank senior economist Satish Ranchhod also said the annual inflation rate was expected to slip to 2.1%, marking the lowest annual inflation rate since 2021. Ranchhod estimated that NZ consumer prices lifte...

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