Peru's central bank continued its easing campaign by cutting its monetary policy rate by another 25 basis points to 3.0 percent, repeating its recent guidance that it is paying close attention to inflation and would consider further changes to its policy stance if necessary.
The Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) has now cut its rate by 125 basis points since embarking on an easing cycle in May 2017 and said today's rate cut took into account the continued fall in inflation and forecasts that it is expected to continue to decline in the first months of 2018.
Moreover, inflation expectations are continuing to decline and public spending in the final quarter of 2017, particularly investment, grew less than forecast so the gap between actual economic activity and the potential level of growth increased.
Peru's inflation rate fell to 1.37 percent in December from 1.54 percent in November for the lowest rate since May 2010 and in the bottom of the central bank's target range of 1-3 percent. Excluding food and energy the inflation rate eased to 2.15 percent from 2.23 percent.
Expectations for inflation in 12 months fell to 2.30 percent in December from 2.48 percent in November, the bank said.
Peru's inflation rate spiked early last year to 3.97 percent in March following heavy flooding that killed more than 100 people, destroying farm lands and crops. Since then inflation has continued to decline.
The Central Reserve Bank of Peru issued the following statement:
"1. The Board of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru approved to lower the monetary policy
interest rate from 3.25 to 3.0 percent. This decision takes into account the following factors:
i. Inflation in December continued decreasing and showed a rate in the lower band of the
inflation target range for the second consecutive year due mainly to the reversal of the
supply shocks as well as due to a level of economic activity lower than the potential
growth rate. Inflation is projected to continue declining in the first months of 2018 and to
converge thereafter to 2.0 percent. Moreover, trend inflation measurements continue
decreasing and are expected to remain close to the middle of the target range during this
year;
ii. Expectations of inflation in 12 months continued declining and fell from 2.48 percent in
November to 2.30 percent in December 2017;
iii. In the fourth quarter of 2017, public expenditure, particularly investment expenditure,
grew less than forecast, as a result of which the gap between economic activity and its
potential level of growth increased, and
iv. The world economy continues to show positive indicators, with positive signals in the
prices of commodities and in capital flows to the emerging economies.
2. The Board pays close attention to new data on inflation and inflation determinants to
consider the convenience of making additional adjustments in the Central Bank’s monetary
policy stance should it be necessary.
3. Recent indicators of inflation and activity reflect the following:
i. Inflation in December recorded a rate of 0.16 percent, as a result of which the year-toyear
inflation rate fell from 1.54 percent in November to 1.36 percent in December.
Inflation without food and energy showed a rate of 0.29 percent, as a result of which the
year-to-year rate fell from 2.23 percent in November to 2.15 percent in December, also
within the target range.
ii. The indicators of business expectations showed more moderate levels in December, but
remain on the optimistic side.
4. The Board of the Central Bank also approved to lower the annual interest rates on lending
and deposit operations in domestic currency (not included in auctions) between BCRP and
the financial system, as specified below:
i. Overnight deposits: 1.75 percent.
ii. Direct repos and rediscount operations: i) 3.55 percent for the first 15 operations
carried out by a financial institution in the last 12 months, and ii) the interest rate set
by the Committee of Monetary and Foreign Exchange Operations for additional
operations to the 15 first operations carried out in the last 12 months.
iii. Swaps: a commission equivalent to a minimum annual effective cost of 3.55 percent.
5. The Monetary Program for the month of February will be approved on the Board Meeting of
February 8, 2018."
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