Fading out of cash tightening to take some time: experts

Experts say RBI's stand more dovish than expected, rupee stability major factor behind policy

RBI in its monetary policy review today kept all key interest rates unchanged as it supports a battered rupee. 

As expected, RBI left its policy repo rate at 7.25% but took a dovish tone as it cut its growth forecast for Asia's third-largest economy to 5.5% for the fiscal year, from 5.7% previously.

Expert comments:

Hemant Contractor, MD, SBI

"Liquidity easening will depend on when flows start returning back to the country

"SBI is quite comfortable presently as we are getting strong deposit growth.Staying power of each bank will depend on how strong the flows has been this year."

Rupa Rege Nitsure, chief economist, Bank of Baroda, Mumbai

"The RBI as expected has highlighted the downside risks to growth. But unless the currency stabilises they will not bring back growth on their radar and that is going to be a very gradual process. For rupee to stabilise both trade and current account deficit have to decline on a sustainable basis and that need not happen in the short term given the risk to growth and global uncertainties.

"Going by the RBI's assessment in today's policy, it is clear FY14 will not be a qualitatively better year than FY13 given all the uncertainties. We could have the same growth as last year or a tad better but not qualitatively better. The cash tightening measures will not directly impact growth but aggravate the downward trajectory which is already being seen in growth."

A Prasanna, Economist, ICICI Securities Primary Dealership Ltd, Mumbai

"The document is ambiguous and it is not consistent with the measures they've taken. Because objectives keep shifting, it is very difficult to read too much into the guidance.

"I was expecting them to stick to the point that since macro-economic stability is important, they've tightened policy right now and till the time these pressures continue, policy will remain like this without mentioning about growth."

Upasna Bhardwaj, Economist, ING Vysya Bank, Mumbai

"While the monetary tightening measures are expected to last as long as rupee volatility persists, RBI has also sounded off the need to continue with requisite measures to support growth after the rollback. We continue to expect a 25 bps cut in repo rate in the last quarter of FY14."

S Naren, Chief Investment Officer, ICICI Prudential Asset Management Ltd, Mumbai

"Effectively they said that the day they get control on the currency there will be scope for starting to ease liquidity and support growth, which is what we expected.

"Ever since the first monetary policy shock, it has become very attractive for longer term investment in fixed income markets while equity has become increasingly volatile, we believe that should continue."

Anjali Verma, economist, Phillipcapital, Mumbai

"The policy overall looks dovish. The RBI clearly would have had a loosening stance if the currency concerns were absent. I do not think the RBI will reverse the current tightening steps till the rupee remains around the 60 to a dollar level. Only the issue of NRI bonds or an extended period of loosening from Fed can reverse the rupee's fortunes."

C Rangarajan, chairman, Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council

"Policy along expected lines"

Vibhav Kapoor, IL&FS

"Markets are in a wait and watch situation. Tight money policy may remain for 3 to 4 months."

Sujan Hajra, chief economist, Anand Rathi, Mumbai

"The policy statement is slightly more dovish than what we had expected. The Reserve Bank of India has clearly stated that the cash tightening steps will be reversed in a calibrated manner. Supporting growth is a priority for the RBI.

"We expect that within two months, the cash tightening steps will be faded out, and monetary easing will resume. We are expecting another 50 basis points cut in the repo rate in 2013."

Shubhada Rao, chief economist, YES Bank, Mumbai

"Our sense is 58-59/$1 level will broadly be seen as comfort level for rupee. And, any trading above 60/$1 would once again get RBI in a cautious mode. As such, we may have to wait beyond a few weeks to see the rollback of these measures. In terms of a rate cut, I don't think there is any clear signal for a rate cut, I think status quo is likely.

"Continuing from it (RBI) said yesterday, reforms are a must, a pre-condition to be able to contain CAD. What actually gets our attention, is the statement that India should use tightening as an opportunity to narrow CAD.

"Quite clearly macro-financial stability and rupee stability have taken precedence in the policy considerations. And once there is stability growth would come back."

Sean Callow, Senior Currency Strategist, Westpac, Sydney

"The RBI stands out in a world of central banks trying to talk down their currencies. Holding policy steady today was probably the best option for growth but quite a dose of luck will be needed to relieve pressure on the rupee and contain inflation without causing too much damage to the real economy."