RBNZ to keep rates on hold next week as housing, higher kiwi ease pressure on hikes

RBNZ to keep rates on hold next week as housing, higher kiwi ease pressure on hikes
By Tina Morrison Oct. 25 (BusinessDesk) – New Zealand’s central bank is expected to keep interest rates on hold next week as new lending restrictions and a higher New Zealand dollar take some pressure off the need to hike early next year in the face of a resurgent local economy. The Reserve Bank will keep the benchmark interest rate at a record low 2.5 percent when it decides the official cash rate on Thursday, according to the unanimous view of 12 economists polled by Reuters. All currently expect the bank will hike rates by March next year...