RBI may cut rates by up to 50 bps next year: Report

On Wednesday, it surprised many with a status quo on policy, premised on upside risk to Q4 inflation and limited transient growth drag owing to demonetisation

The rate cut cycle may not be over, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may go for a 25-50 bps cut in the calender year 2017, as the underlying disinflationary forces are expected to continue next year, says a report.

RBI surprised many with a status quo on policy, premised on upside risk to January-March quarter inflation and limited transient growth drag owing to demonetisation.

According to Kotak Institutional Equities, "The tone was hawkish and we do not rule out another status quo in February, albeit contingent on the CSO advance estimate of FY17 GVA (gross value added)."

If the CSO's advance estimates of GVA indicate a significant slippage in the third quarter (October-December) of FY17 growth compared to RBI's estimate, "RBI may favour a cut in February", the report said.

On December 7, the RBI kept interest rate unchanged despite calls for lowering it while it slashed the economic growth projection by half a per cent to 7.1 in the first policy review post demonetisation.

Even as the RBI sharply lowered its real GVA forecast for FY17 by 50 bps to 7.1 per cent, it noted that the revision is largely owing to the downside surprise in the second quarter of FY17.

According to the RBI's assessment, the negative impact of demonetisation on growth would be to the tune of around 15 bps and is likely be transitory.

However, according to Kotak Institutional Equities' assessment, based on estimated sectoral cash dependency, the impact on growth is likely to be "much higher".

"While we do see medium-term economic gains, the short-term disruption could slow FY2017 real GVA growth at 6.4 per cent," the report said.

On prices, the report said that while the January-March inflation target of 5 per cent being comfortably met, inflation is likely to inch lower as we go into FY18 (averaging around 4.2-4.3 per cent).

This should keep the RBI's stance accommodative, with the case for further 25-50 bps cut possible in CY17.

The next monetary policy meet is on February 8.