RBI may hold short-term lending rate: Experts

Mumbai: The Reserve Bank is likely to hold the key short-term lending rate at 5.5 per cent in its upcoming bi-monthly monetary policy on Wednesday after three back-to-back reductions, notwithstanding the headwinds to near-term economic growth in the wake of elevated US tariff uncertainties and subdued inflation trends, according to experts.

However, some experts opined that the central bank may go for another round of rate cuts as challenges to the growth outlook outweigh potential inflation risks. The RBI has already effected three back-to-back reductions in the short-term lending rate (repo), cumulating to 100 bps.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra headed a six-member rate-setting panel — the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) — is scheduled to announce the next bi-monthly policy rate on Wednesday (August 6). The three-day meeting of the MPC will start on Monday.

Bank of Baroda Chief Economist Madan Sabnavis said the credit policy will not be based on the most recent developments of low inflation for June and the 25 per cent US tariff.

In June, he said, the policy already would have buffered in the 26 per cent tariff, which was the deferred rate in April.

“Therefore, the tariff per se may not really change the view on growth, though it would be interesting to see how the RBI looks at this number. There can be a slight downward revision in inflation projection for the year by 0.1-0.2 per cent, i.e. 3.5-3.6 per cent instead of 3.7 per cent,” Sabnavis said.

However, in the current context, the cost of oil for the economy will also be a consideration.

“Therefore, we do not expect any change of stance or policy rate this time. The tone will be more cautious with some comfort being drawn on the resilient growth front,” he pointed out.

CareEdge Ratings said the RBI had already frontloaded the rate cuts, anticipating the moderation in inflation. “Hence, we do not expect further rate cuts unless growth concerns aggravate. While the US reciprocal tariff rate and proposed penalty are concerning, the RBI may opt to wait till we get further clarity on this front. With a forward-looking outlook, the RBI would be focusing on inflation in the quarters ahead,” it said.

CareEdge Ratings further said that given the incomplete transmission of the previous rate cuts, the RBI is expected to hold off on further easing, allowing time for the full impact of earlier measures to materialise. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) based retail inflation has remained below 4 per cent since February. It was at 2.1 per cent in June. The government has mandated the RBI to ensure inflation remains at 4 per cent with a margin of 2 per cent on either side. PTI