90% of experts predict a rate cut on March 25OCR likely to drop below 1% for first time27% say an emergency cut is needed to boost the economy, but some sceptical of effectiveness
Despite persistent rumours of an emergency rate cut, most experts believe that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand is
unlikely to drop the official cash rate (OCR) until they next meet on Wednesday 25 March.
In the latest Finder RBNZ Official Cash Rate Survey, 12 experts and economists weighed in on the probability of an out-of-cycle rate cut in response to the escalating
threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
An overwhelming majority (90%) agreed there won’t be an emergency cut before the next official cash rate (OCR)
announcement. However this same number predict the next OCR decision will be a cut of at least 25 basis points. This
would cause the OCR to drop below 1% for the first time in New Zealand’s history.
These findings are in contrast to last month’s Survey, where 23% of experts predicted a rate cut wouldn’t happen until
August 2020 at the earliest.Out-of-cycle rate cut may cause panic
This comes as the US Federal Reserve unexpectedly cut interest rates by 50 basis points on Tuesday 3 March— an emergency
measure not seen since the Global Financial Crisis back in 2008. In addition, the Reserve Bank of Australia last week
slashed the cash rate to 0.5%, a new historical low and the fourth rate cut since June 2019.
Yet many of the panellists say that an out-of-cycle rate cut on home soil would spark unnecessary fear amongst
businesses and consumers.
According to independent economist Tony Alexander, an early rate cut “risks generating the sense of unease the RBNZ
produced with its 0.5% cut last year.”
Kiwi Bank’s Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr agrees, saying an emergency rate cut would “signal panic in a world already on
the verge of panic.”
Despite this, over a quarter (27%) of experts agree that an emergency rate cut is needed to boost the economy.COVID-19 continues rapid escalation
Kevin McHugh, Finder’s Publisher in New Zealand, said that the global spread of coronavirus has unfolded much quicker
than expected.
“Last month, it was widely assumed that coronavirus would be contained within China. But this hasn’t been the case. The
disease has since spread to more than 80 countries, with no signs of slowing down. This poses a major threat to the
global economy,” he said.
Dr Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director at The NZ Initiative, said a rate cut is likely on 25 March as the Reserve Bank
seeks to align with the monetary decisions of major international banks. Yet he also remains sceptical of the
effectiveness of a rate cut, due to New Zealand’s heavy reliance on tourism and foreign trade.
“The RBNZ cannot create those tourists that will no longer arrive on our shores. It cannot restore supply chains either
or stimulate the economies of our trading partners. Therefore, even as the cut looks unavoidable, I am not convinced it
will be greatly effective,” he said.Here’s what our experts had to say
Donal Curtin, Economics New Zealand Ltd: "There is, perhaps, some kudos from being seen to "do something", especially if seen as part of coordinated
international effort post the off-schedule Fed move. But there are also risks of scaring the consumer and business
horses ("if the RBNZ is worried so much ..." etc). Given that there's no material difference between moving now and
moving on March 25, a hold until looks the more likely, though it's a close call."
Tony Alexander, Tony Alexander: "The economic and inflation outlooks have deteriorated as a result of the coronavirus outbreak and its potentially
severe impact on the tourism sector. The manufacturing, construction, and farming impacts will be temporary."
Dr Oliver Hartwich, The New Zealand Initiative: "The coronavirus, or rather the response to the coronavirus, has disrupted the global economy. Especially following
international interest rate cuts, the RBNZ has little choice but to cut as well."
Robin Clements, UBS NZ Ltd: "Response to the impact of COVID-19 and global central bank cuts."
Dominick Stephens, Westpac: "The RBNZ will deliver a confidence-boosting cut in reaction to COVID-19 and other central banks' actions."
Sharon Zollner, ANZ: "The COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread and accelerate globally, and imminent restrictions on the movement of people
will severely hamper economic activity. Monetary policy can't do much about the situation, but will do its bit."
Michael Reddell, Croaking Cassandra: "For some reason they seem to eschewed moving quickly, in line with Fed and RBA, but coronavirus is a huge adverse
shock, the economic severity of which the Bank will eventually wake to."
Jarrod Kerr, Kiwibank: "The RBNZ will likely follow the lead of central banks offshore in responding to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. I
predict the next cut will be 50 basis points."
Debbie Roberts, Property Apprentice: "Although my previous prediction was no OCR cut until 2021, I now think that the global impact of COVID-19 will require
the RBNZ to be pro-active with reducing the cash rate (maybe only by 0.25) on the 25 March in an effort to reduce the
economic effect of the global spread of the virus."
Kelvin Davidson, Corelogic: "All due to coronavirus."
Christina Leung, NZIER: "Line-ball call on whether the RBNZ will wait till the official meeting given the moves of the other central banks, but
think enough momentum in the NZ economy that RBNZ has time on its side."