INTEREST RATES TINAPYASAN NG 25 BPS

NAGPASYA ang Monetary Board ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) nitong Huwebes na bawasan ang policy rates ng 25 basis points.

Ang target reverse repurchase (RRP) rate ay ibinaba sa 6.2%, habang ang overnight deposit rate ay itinakda sa 5.75%, at ang overnight lending facility rate sa 6.75%.

Ito ang unang cut sa loob ng halos apat na taon o magmula noong November 2020. at ang unang adjustment matapos ang 25-basis point off-cycle hike noong October 2023.

“The balance or risks to the inflation outlook continues to lean toward the downside for 2024 and 2025 with a modest tilt to the upside for 2026,” wika ni BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr.

“The downside risks are linked mainly to lower import tariffs on rice, while upside risks could come from higher electricity rates and external factors,” dagdag pa niya.

Kasunod ito ng pagtataas ng central bank sa risk-adjusted inflation forecast nito para sa 2024 sa 3.3% mula 3.1% outlook noong Hunyo.

Ang inflation ay bumilis sa nine-month high na 4.4% noong Hulyo.

“With inflation on a target-consistent path, the current macroeconomic outlook supports a calibrated shift to a less restrictive monetary policy stance. Nonetheless, monetary authorities remain mindful of lingering upside risks to prices,” ani Remolona.