All eyes on RBI policy, but it will be hard for MPC to ignore macro situation

Since the August meeting,

1. crude oil prices have increased by $12/bbl
2. the rupee has depreciated by around 6.5 percent
3. inflation prints for July and August have been 4.2 percent and 3.7 percent respectively.

Inflation will undershoot the RBI’s 2QFY19 estimate of 4.6 percent by around 50 bps.

The MPC will also have to factor in the first advance estimate of the kharif crop which is higher than FY18 production levels implying that food price pressures in the near term may not be too significant.

Given the structural issues with the widening current account deficit, a slower consumption growth is essential with the burden resting equally on the monetary as well as the fiscal policies.

The RBI will likely revise its inflation trajectory higher to factor in the crude and rupee related implications which will set the stage for another rate hike. We favour a 25 bps rate hike in the upcoming policy.

Given the mandate of inflation targeting, it is difficult to justify a defence of the rupee without a commensurate impact on the inflation outlook. Further, the interest rate defence, historically, has had a debatable effect in defending the currency.

Recent complications

The liquidity situation in FY19 was always envisaged to be tight with additional pressure coming through forex reserves depletion. While that should have bode well for the RBI with restrictive financial conditions keeping interest rates on the higher side, the recent debt market turmoil necessitated that the RBI loosened the liquidity conditions (OMO calendar for October and LCR maintenance relaxation). Even then it is unlikely to cover up for the deficit completely.

The liquidity squeeze in the NBFC funding space could warrant a slowdown/consolidation in NBFCs which could impact the overall consumption in the economy too. In such scenario, the seemingly conflicting decisions of higher policy rates and relative easing of liquidity may seem to be at loggerheads.

However, it is essential to remember that overall liquidity still remains in the deficit mode and in consonance with a tighter financial conditions stance. One should look at the regulatory policies for any changes in reaction to the liquidity and debt market issues.

The need for a macro adjustment

India needs higher savings—not just through higher flows to financial assets but through

1. lower financial liabilities of households (lower household leverage), and 2. greater fiscal rectitude from both central and state governments (fiscal consolidation and more judicious expenditure).

A combination of tighter financial conditions and improvement in the government’s fiscal position is essential to rein in consumption/demand growth at a sustainable level.

Structurally, this should be positive for the external balance and the rupee. As of now, the INR has mostly adjusted to the more than three years of overvaluation.

Disclaimer: The author is a Vice-President and Senior Economist at Kotak Institutional Equities. The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on Moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.