Monetary policy will remain loose in Central Europe

Subject Factors keeping monetary policy loose, despite stronger growth. Significance The Hungarian National Bank (MNB), one of the most dovish emerging market (EM) central banks, has cut its benchmark interest rate to a record low and called an end to its three-year-long monetary easing cycle. Hungary's inflation rate has only just turned positive after a period of deflation. The Czech National Bank (CNB) has been forced to intervene in the currency markets for the first time since 2013 in order to stem appreciation of the koruna, which is being buoyed by a stronger-than-expected growth pick-up. However, the prospect of subdued inflation should allow central banks in Central Europe (CE) to keep interest rates at current levels for a considerable period of time. Impacts The renewed decline in oil prices will exert downward pressure on inflation rates in many advanced and emerging economies. Exceptionally low CE local government bond yields could spark a sell-off if fallout from higher US interest rates is sharper than expected. The ECB's sovereign QE programme, to run at least until September 2016, should help mitigate any Fed-driven deterioration in CE sentiment.

Significance Hungary thereby regains investment-grade status, albeit at the lowest level, from being downgraded to 'junk' because of doubts about the government's policies and the high public debt burden. Hungary's improving creditworthiness, underpinned by its current account surplus and deleveraging in the banking sector, contrasts with the increasing strain on Poland's credit rating. Political risk has become a major driver of investor sentiment towards emerging markets. Impacts Emerging market assets have become more vulnerable as investors reprice US monetary policy. Futures markets are now assigning a 51% probability to another rise in US interest rates at or before the Federal Reserve's July meeting. Central Europe's government bond markets are being supported by the persistently dovish monetary policy stance of its central banks. This contrasts with Latin America, where inflationary pressures are forcing many central banks to raise rates. Brazil, Turkey, Poland and the Philippines are among several countries where political uncertainty is a key determinant of asset prices.


Subject The outlook for Central-East European debt. Significance A flurry of hawkish commentary from the world’s leading central banks, in particular the ECB, which is preparing the ground for a withdrawal of monetary stimulus, has put significant strain on the domestic bond markets of Central-Eastern Europe (CEE). Under particular pressure are Romanian domestic bonds, because of the threat of fiscal slippages under the new Social Democrat (PSD)-led government, which are likely to force the National Bank of Romania (NBR) to hike interest rates more aggressively than its regional peers. Impacts Despite the central-bank-driven sell-off in global markets, negative-yielding bonds still account for one-fifth of global sovereign debt. Persistent concerns about a supply glut are keeping Brent crude below 50 dollars per barrel, with oil prices down by 14% since end-May. Emerging Market stocks are declining under pressure of hawkish rhetoric from central banks, but not Hungarian and Czech equities.


Subject Central banks’ policy dilemmas. Significance The National Bank of Hungary (MNB) remains extremely reluctant to raise interest rates despite increasing pressure on the forint. While growth in the euro-area is likely to remain weak this year, strengthening the case for rates to remain on hold, a more supportive external environment, underpinned by an easing of US-China trade tensions, would accentuate the policy dilemmas confronting Central Europe’s central banks, especially given rises in inflation. Impacts Germany’s still-negative ten-year bond yield has risen from record lows in September as markets become less pessimistic about global growth. Markets expect Hungarian monetary policy to remain very dovish, as the domestic twelve-month bond-yield’s end-October turn negative shows. The US S&P 500 index surged by nearly 30% last year and if US-China trade tensions ease slightly this should help it to maintain momentum.


Significance This is despite a spike in core inflation. The three central banks of Central Europe (CE) are on a loosening cycle, responding aggressively to the COVID-19-induced collapse in growth while expecting the contraction to bring down core inflation rates later this year. Impacts PMI surveys for Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic show persistent expectations of contraction. The Commission expects Czech GDP to contract this year by 7.75%, the pandemic disrupting foreign demand for export-oriented manufacturing. Hungarian GDP is to shrink by 7% with labour market deterioration curbing household consumption and falling exports hurting the auto sector. Contraction in Poland’s resilient and diversified economy by just 4.5% in 2020 is forecast to be the least-bad in the EU. Hungary’s mixed record in handling of the crisis could put the ruling Fidesz party’s position at risk.


Subject Political and policy risks in Emerging Europe. Significance Although the currencies and government bond yields of Central European economies remain stable, the region's equity markets are coming under increasing strain, partly because of political risk. However, strong demand for Turkish local debt suggests there is still appetite for higher-yielding emerging market (EM) bonds. Impacts The recovery in oil prices is helping underpin favourable sentiment towards EMs despite persistent vulnerabilities and risks. Waning confidence in the efficacy of monetary policy will increase investors' sensitivity to political risks in EMs. This is particularly the case if these risks undermine the credibility of countries' policy regimes. Many Latin American economies have been forced to hike interest rates to counter a surge in inflation. By contrast, historically low inflation lets Central-Eastern Europe's central banks keep monetary policy ultra-loose.


Subject Opposite forces are shaping investor sentiment towards EM assets. Significance Investor sentiment towards emerging market (EM) assets is being shaped by the conflicting forces of a strong dollar and the launch of a sovereign quantitative easing (QE) programme by the ECB. While the latter is likely to encourage investment into higher-yielding assets, such as EM debt, the former will keep the currencies of developing economies under strain, particularly those most sensitive to a rise in US interest rates due to heavier reliance on capital inflows to finance large current account deficits, such as Turkey and South Africa. Impacts EM bonds will benefit from ECB-related inflows, while the strength of the dollar will keep local currencies under strain. Higher-yielding EMs will benefit the most from the ECB's bond-buying scheme since they provide the greatest scope for 'carry trades'. The collapse in oil prices is forcing EM central banks to turn increasingly dovish, putting further strain on local currencies.


Significance Expectations that the Fed will refrain from hiking its benchmark rates from its target range of 0.25-0.5% and that the Japanese central bank will provide further stimulus are suppressing volatility in financial markets and fuelling demand for risk assets. However, evidence that "overburdened" monetary policy is losing its efficacy triggered a sell-off in bonds and equities on September 9, increasing the scope for sharper price falls as investors worry that central banks have run out of ammunition. Impacts Services expanded in August at their slowest pace since 2010, making it less likely that the Fed will raise interest rates this month. EM bond and equity mutual funds have enjoyed a surge in inflows since the Brexit vote as yield-hungry investors pour money into risk assets Oil, a key determinant of investor sentiment, will stay below 50 dollars/barrel unless major producers agree measures to stabilise prices.


Subject Monetary policy in Japan. Significance The monetary policy board of the Bank of Japan (BoJ) at its last meeting abandoned its prediction of when the nation will reach its 2% inflation target, the first time it has omitted a target date since Governor Haruhiko Kuroda introduced his policy of radical monetary easing five years ago. Impacts Japan’s interest rates will remain at historically low levels for at least two more years. The yen will remain relatively weak as other countries’ central banks end their quantitative easing programmes. A weak currency plus widespread global economic growth will create strong demand for Japanese exports.


Significance Hampl was interviewed on August 29, after the CNB announced its first rate rise in more than nine years on August 3. He said faster growth made debating further monetary policy tightening "relevant". A gradual period of normalisation in monetary policy across Central Europe (CE) seems to be under way. Impacts The CNB could raise rates sooner than expected if there is an unexpected rise in capital outflows. In Poland, weak core inflation is expected to encourage the central bank to retain its 'wait and see' stance regarding future rate rises. Hungary's central bank may be the last in the region to hike interest rates; no change is expected before mid-2018.


2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-506
Author(s):  
Giovanni Verga ◽  
Nicoleta Vasilcovschi

Interbank rates are affected by the monetary policy of a country and represent a link to other financial and credit markets. In 2007, Romania became a member of the European Union and its central bank, the National Bank of Romania (NBR), joined the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) but not the Eurosystem. This paper analyses the role of the central bank and the use of its instruments concerning interbank rates. The research evaluates the influence of the Romanian Central Bank on interbank rates and shows that the policy rate and bank liquidity are among the main determinants of interbank rate movements. It is also presented that the NBR’s deposit and lending rates can limit the free movements of the interbank rate of interest. This research confirms that interbank interest rates influence bank rates strongly. The methodology used in this research includes cointegration, dynamic econometric measurement and analyses with Granger causality. Our research uses mainly ROBID and ROBOR of different maturities, showing that the influence of the Romanian Central Bank (NBR) on the interbank rate is strong, while the influence of the ECB and Fed is weak.


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