NZ inflation probably accelerated in first quarter, keeping OCR hikes on track

NZ inflation probably accelerated in first quarter, keeping OCR hikes on track
By Jonathan Underhill April 14 (BusinessDesk) – New Zealand inflation probably accelerated in the first quarter, keeping on track expectations that the Reserve Bank will lift the official cash rate again next week to mitigate the effects of strong demand growth in coming years. The consumers price index rose 0.5 percent in the first quarter, for an annual rate of 1.7 percent, according to a Reuters survey and the central bank’s latest estimate. That would mark the fastest annual rate since the fourth quarter of 2011. Reserve Bank governor Gr...