fbpx
Print this page
Thursday, 24 July 2014 10:13

Interest rate goes up

Written by 

The Reserve Bank has increased the official cash rate (OCR) by 25 basis points to 3.5%.


Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler noted that over recent months, export prices for dairy and timber have fallen.


And these will reduce primary sector incomes over the coming year, he says.


"With the exchange rate yet to adjust to weakening commodity prices, the level of the New Zealand dollar is unjustified and unsustainable and there is potential for a significant fall."


Wheeler says it is important that inflation expectations remain contained.


"Today's move will help keep future average inflation near the 2% target mid-point and ensure that the economic expansion can be sustained.


"Encouragingly, the economy appears to be adjusting to the monetary policy tightening that has taken place since the start of the year.


Wheeler also signalled a short break in another interest rate hike.


"It is prudent that there now be a period of assessment before interest rates adjust further towards a more-neutral level.


"The speed and extent to which the OCR will need to rise will depend on the assessment of the impact of the tightening in monetary policy to date, and the implications of future economic and financial data for inflationary pressures."

 

More like this

Featured

Southland Farmers Face Wet Weather Toll, Support Available

Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.

How Wearable Tech Powers This 1,850-Cow Dairy Farm

For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.

New Dairy Welfare Code Released, Takes Effect 2027

The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.

National

Machinery & Products