New Zealand Raises Key Interest Rate to Record 7.75% (Update6)
By Tracy Withers
April 26 (Bloomberg) -- New Zealand's central bank raised the benchmark interest rate to a record 7.75 percent, the second- highest after Iceland among AAA-rated nations, saying housing demand and consumer spending may fan inflation.
``The resurgence in economic activity has continued, with domestic demand continuing to expand strongly,'' Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard said in a statement in Wellington today. For the first time in six statements, Bollard omitted reference to more increases, stoking speculation he is done raising rates for now.
Bollard faces the dilemma of trying to cool domestic demand while limiting the damage to exporters' earnings, which have suffered as high rates drove the New Zealand dollar to a 22-year high last week. Fisher & Paykel Appliances Ltd., the nation's biggest appliance maker, today said it would close two plants and move 350 jobs overseas because of the currency's impact.
``If this economy is going to rebalance and give exporters a chance then he really does need to get some control over the housing market in particular,'' said Darren Gibbs, chief economist at Deutsche Bank AG in Auckland. ``The Reserve Bank is clearly on hold.''
All 13 economists surveyed after today's statement expect rates will be unchanged at the next review on June 7. Just one forecasts an increase by the end of the year. Twelve predict no change.
June Review
There is only an 18 percent likelihood of a quarter-point increase in June, according to an index calculated by Credit Suisse from trading in overnight interest-rate swaps.
The New Zealand dollar fell to as low as 74.21 U.S. cents from 74.49 cents immediately before the statement. It bought 74.77 cents at 4:25 p.m. in Wellington.
``With rates on hold over the short term, one source of upward pressure on the New Zealand dollar is expected to dissipate,'' said Jason Wong, director of research and strategy at First NZ Capital Group Ltd. in Wellington.
New Zealand's official cash rate, introduced in March 1999, is 7.25 percentage points more than in Japan and 2.25 points more than the Federal Reserve target. The local currency has gained as traders borrow at cheaper rates in Japan and invest in New Zealand's high yields, in what is known as the carry trade.
Currency Gains
The local dollar is the best performer against the U.S. dollar among the world's 16 most-traded currencies in the past 12 months, gaining 18 percent. That outpaces the British pound's 12 percent increase.
``The exchange rate is now at levels that are both exceptional by historical standards, and unjustified on the basis of medium-term fundamentals,'' Bollard said.
Six of 14 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News predicted an increase today.
Bollard increased rates nine times between January 2004 and December 2005. A 15-month pause ended in March when he said inflation may have accelerated beyond the top of his 1 percent- to-3 percent target unless he increased borrowing costs.
Today's increase ``is aimed at ensuring that inflation outcomes remain consistent with achieving the target,'' he said.
Core Inflation
While consumer prices rose 2.6 percent in the latest 12 months, prices of non-tradable items, which aren't influenced by the currency and better reflect core inflation, rose 4.1 percent and remain ``persistently strong,'' Bollard said.
Demand is being fueled by a buoyant housing market, increased government spending, a rising terms of trade, ongoing net immigration and a robust labor market, he said.
Home sales surged 9.5 percent from a year earlier, according to a report from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand Inc. on April 19. Retail sales in February rose 1.9 percent, the fastest pace since March 2004, according to a government report on April 13.
New Zealand's jobless rate fell to 3.7 percent in the fourth quarter. Wages for non-government workers rose a record 3.2 percent in 2006.
``Firms report that capacity is very stretched and that they are again experiencing increased difficulty in finding both skilled and unskilled staff,'' Bollard said.
The currency's gain crimps exports, which make up 30 percent of the $102 billion economy.
Plant Closures
Fisher & Paykel, which gets 83 percent of revenue from refrigerators and washers from overseas markets, said the high currency made it difficult to compete with rivals. It is relocating production of laundry appliances to Thailand, it said.
``The environment in New Zealand for our type of manufacturing operation has deteriorated,'' Chief Executive Officer John Bongard said in the statement.
Parts of the export sector continue to face ``challenging conditions,'' Bollard said today. Still, the increase in world dairy prices is expected to provide a boost to incomes in that sector and tourist arrivals are continuing to grow, he said.
Exports rose 4.7 percent in March from a year earlier, buoyed by surging milk powder and butter prices, Statistics New Zealand said today. Imports rose 5 percent, leaving the annual trade deficit little changed at NZ$5.78 billion.
To contact the reporter on this story: Tracy Withers in Wellington at
[email protected] .
Last Updated: April 26, 2007 00:53 EDT