Bottom line: As widely expected, the Norges Bank paused policy at it latest verdict this m0nth, the first such pause since last May, this backed up by what was a very equivocal statement. Indeed this pause was flagged last month, when the Norges Bank suggested that another 25 bp hike will be made in the coming quarter, but most likely at the next scheduled meeting on Mar 23 when forecasts will also be updated in the Monetary Policy Report (MPR).Regardless, existing projections still suggest that rates will then peak, with it notable that even given a continued projected overshoot of the inflation target, the Norges Bank not only sees policy easing starting in early 2024 but now at a somewhat faster rate (Figure 1).On the margin, the Norges Bank will deliver that hike but it may be a close call, all implying that policy has either peaked already or is very near to doing so amid what seems to be a larger projected negative output gap and where downside risks from already slumping house prices may be the key factor in the next few months.
Source: Norges Bank
More Mixed Thinking
In explaining its thinking the Bank noted that consumer prices have risen sharply, and inflation is markedly above the target. Activity in the Norwegian economy is high, and the labor market is tight. However, it qualified this by noting that high inflation and higher interest rates are weakening household purchasing power, and many firms expect a fall in activity ahead.
Based on the Committee’s current assessment of the outlook, the policy rate will need to be increased somewhat further to bring inflation down towards the target, this being less precise than the explicit path laid out in December. The |Bank did note that, the labor market appears to have been a little tighter than projected. Continued pressures in the Norwegian economy may contribute to keeping inflation elevated. These developments did suggest raising the policy rate at this January meeting. On the other hand, there are prospects that energy prices will be lower than expected earlier, and global inflationary pressures appear to be easing. The policy rate has been raised considerably over a short period of time, and monetary policy has started to have a tightening effect on the economy. This may suggest a more gradual approach to policy rate setting. Overall, the outlook is that the policy rate will most likely be raised in March, the question being whether the mixed tone in this latest statement is an indication that a fresh policy debate is fermenting with the Norges Bank Board – we think not!
