Why RBNZ will Hold OCR at 1%

By Sophia Rodrigues

Published On 13 Nov 2019 , 12:00 AM

I am a bit surprised with market reaction to RBNZ's inflation expectations survey yesterday. While I acknowledge the importance of this survey (I've been a big fan of this data myself), and the fact that inflation expectations was a key factor in RBNZ's bigger 50bps cut in August, I think too much weight has been placed on this data. The RBNZ OCR decision today is likely to be a very close call, and they may well cut (I am in the on-hold camp though) but I'll be very surprised if inflation expectations is going to be a key reason behind it. Monetary policy is forward-looking and I see several reasons for RBNZ to stay on hold, including lower NZD, higher-than-expected non-tradable inflation, rising house prices, stable longer-term inflation expectations, higher-than-expected net migration, and change in expectations for easing by global central banks.

LATEST SNIPPETS

RBA Lifts Cash Rate to 4.85%

The Reserve Bank of Australia raised the cash rate by 25bps to 4.85%, taking it to a new cycle peak and the highest r...

Published on : 03 Nov 2026 , 03:34 PM
After leaving OCR unchanged, RBNZ Governor says hike chance in Dec "high"

Remind me how many central banks have stated the odds of the next move in any direction is "high." (Excepti...

Published on : 30 Oct 2026 , 03:23 PM
RBNZ's hold surprises

Central banks have surprised with their monetary policy decisions.

But I have never been as surprised...

Published on : 28 Oct 2026 , 03:22 PM
RBNZ surprises with OCR on hold at 2.75%

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand left the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.75%, surprising almost everyone.

Published on : 28 Oct 2026 , 12:18 PM
RBA Lifts Cash Rate 25bps to 4.60%

The RBA raised the cash rate by 25bps to 4.60%, taking the total rate hike this year to 100bps.

The increas...

Published on : 29 Sep 2026 , 02:45 PM
Concerts in Australia and Demand in 2027

There will no doubt be stories about this in the months to come, but based on my understanding, 2027 is turning out t...

Published on : 23 Sep 2026 , 06:54 PM
Credit to Macquarie Uni Student

It was a question I was asked by a student at Macquarie University that led to a last-minute decision (I had prepped...

Published on : 23 Sep 2026 , 06:53 PM
Two Big Four Banks Forecasting RBA Sep Hike

Two of the four big banks are now forecasting RBA hike in September. Westpac moved today to September (was the last b...

Published on : 18 Sep 2026 , 06:51 PM
RBNZ Assistant Governor Silk to Leave in Dec

RBNZ's assistant governor Karen Silk to leave the bank in December.

The executive leadership team...

Published on : 16 Sep 2026 , 06:50 PM
Australia and Recession. Really?

Apparently one more RBA cash rate rise will tip Australia into recession, given weak sentiment and housing market dow...

Published on : 10 Sep 2026 , 06:48 PM