Swedish Riksbank Rate 3.75% vs. Exp. 3.75% (Prev. 3.5%); forecast expects at least one more hike this year and increases pace of bond sales
Rate decision here
FX hedging release here
Economic Commentary
- Inflation is falling but is still far too high.
- New information, such as service prices rising unexpectedly rapidly and a weaker krona, indicates that inflation is declining more slowly than expected.
SEK
- The weak SEK is contributing to keeping inflation up, and there is a risk that the pass-through of the krona to price increases is larger in the current situation of high inflation.
- Considering hedging part of the foreign exchange reserves.
- The starting point for this is that the amount hedged will correspond to about one-quarter of the FX reserves.
- The FX reserves currently amount to around SEK 410 billion.
- The measure is aimed at reducing the Riksbank’s financial risks.
Balance sheet
- The Executive Board has also decided to increase the pace of government bond sales from SEK 3.5 billion to 5 billion per month with effect from September this year.
Rate Path
- The forecast is for the policy rate to be increased at least one more time this year.
Reaction details (08:45)
- EUR/SEK initially saw a spike higher from 11.7491 to 11.8076 on account of disappointment over just a 25bps and not a 50bps move. Thereafter, the pair moved lower to 11.7095 alongside the higher rate path and potentially on the currency hedging programme before then returning to pre-announced levels.
Analysis details (08:41)
- The decision to hike rates by 25bps was broadly in-line with expectations heading into the release, but did disappoint some calls for a 50bps move on account of recent SEK depreciation and hot inflation data in May.
- The decision was without reservation.
- The policy path now sees at least one more hike in 2023.
- On the balance sheet, the existing SEK 3.5bln/month pace of divestments was increased to SEK 5bln month.
- On SEK, the Bank acknowledged the impact of the soft SEK on inflation and announced a potential currency hedging programme.
29 Jun 2023 - 08:30- ForexImportant- Source: Reuters
Subscribe Now to Newsquawk
Click here for a 1 week free trial
Newsquawk provides audio news and commentary for over 15,000professional traders and brokers worldwide. Services include:
- Real-time audio coverage from 0630 to 2200 London time plus Asia-Pac 2200 to 1000 London time
- Teams of analysts covering equities, fixed income, FX, energy, and metals markets
- Real-time scrolling news service with instant analysis
- Daily and weekly pre-market research and calendars
- Video updates covering near-term key risk events & primary trading themes
- One-to-one chat with our expert analysts