Nomura says policy rates touch neutral, sees no cuts till 2017

The brokerage firm estimates that the average policy rate over the next three years should be around 7.4% as the policy rates have reached neutral

With the second surprise 25 bps repo rate cut by the Reserve Bank on March 4, the policy rates have reached neutral and the average policy rate over the next three years should be around 7.4%, says a report.

"Based on our inflation and growth forecasts, and the RBI's inflation targets, we estimate that the average policy rate over the next three years should be around 7.4% as the policy rates have reached neutral," Japanese brokerage Nomura said in a note.

It can be noted that Governor Raghuram Rajan took the markets and analysts by surprise within two months by reducing the short term lending rates by 25 bps to 7.5% on March 4 after a similar inter-meeting cut on January 15.

Rajan cited lower inflation, credible and high quality fiscal consolidation, and exchange rate appreciation as the key reasons for the policy action.

He also said two factors justified the inter-meeting action -- weak growth and the global trend towards easing; and the need to offer guidance on how it will implement the new flexible inflation targeting mandate.

The economists, however, said they see "a risk of another 25 bps cut this year", but have maintained its baseline view of no further cuts.

"In our view, with growth shifting higher, the government already focused on reviving growth by kick-starting public investment in infrastructure, inflation is likely to stabilise at 5-5.5% and external risk factors growing, the case for incremental monetary policy easing no longer exists, if the RBI is serious about 4% inflation," its economists said.