RBI Likely To Raise Policy Rates For High Inflation This Year, Says Anand Rathi Report

Bhubaneswar: In view of rising inflation, the RBI is likely to raise the policy rate by upto 100 basis points (bps) in near future.

While the retail inflation went up to 5.6% in December 2021, food inflation jumped to 4% and core inflation subsided slightly to 6%. But GDP and industrial growth rates have remained volatile.

“The RBI may raise the policy rate by upto 100 bps in 2022, which may have negative impacts, at least in the short-term, on both the equity and bond markets,” a news agency quoted Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers stating in a report.

Stating that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have raised policy rates, the report said nearly 40% of the 100 countries to watch have already raised policy rates by an average 150 bps.

The report of one of leading stock broking firms predicted that the depressed base of the last 12 months and expected hikes in MSP for agricultural produce may lead to food inflation. While the core inflation is expected to fall, inflation in next 12 months will clock 5%, it added.