This week we witnessed a number of developing countries raise interest rates, and it’s believed others could follow suit. Amongst developed markets, Norway has stated it will bring forward its interest rate hike with two more likely in early 2022.
So, what’s going on? Many believe this is largely down to the huge US fiscal stimulus combined with successful vaccination programmes in countries like the US, UK and Norway. In Norway’s case, their gigantic $1.3trn Sovereign Wealth Fund has backed a record amount of fiscal measures.
The resulting rise in commodity-price inflation, which is partly driving bond yields, is forcing investors to move their money around. One way to readjust this is by raising interest rates to deter existing capital from leaving while also trying to encourage new capital to flow inwards.
This can be a problem for emerging markets because many of their economies are heavily reliant on exports. If interest rates rise, foreign exchange rates often appreciate too, making exports more expensive. If foreign exchange rates do not stabilise in response to rising interest rates, there’s the added issue of higher borrowing costs locally.
In the UK, hand gel, dumbbells and men’s loungewear bottoms will be added to the Inflation Index starting this month. While white milk chocolate and sandwiches (purchased at staff canteens) are out.
Ratewatch:
The MPC voted unanimously to keep the Bank Rate unchanged at 0.10% in the UK, as did the central bank in Norway. Although the latter has brought forward the timing of rate hikes expecting to raise its benchmark deposit rate in the “latter half” of this year. Whilst central banks in Turkey and Russia raised rates by 2% and 0.25% respectively.
Meanwhile in Japan, two-thirds of firms want the BoJ to keep rates steady and curb increases in long-term rates according to a Reuters Survey.
* https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-companies-boj-poll-idUSKBN2B9348
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