Israel Hayom: Surprise Israel rate cut was about strong shekel, weaker economy
October 31, 2012–Israel’s surprise rate cut appears to have come from a confluence of a rising shekel meeting a weakening economy.
The central bank on Monday lowered its benchmark interest rate to 2 percent from 2.25%. All 12 economists polled by Reuters beforehand had expected unchanged rates for a fourth straight month.
The cut was particularly surprising given that the Bank of Israel had expressed concern over rising housing prices, according to the minutes of its Sept. 24 rates decision.
Indeed, the Bank of Israel’s own economists had forecast no rate changes through 2013. Most attention was being paid to the strength of the economy rather than the currency.
But the shekel has been appreciating. It reached 3.81 per dollar by mid-October from a level of 4.02 at the start of September. It has since moved back to a rate of 3.90 but the Bank of Israel is opposed to a strong currency since it harms Israeli exports. Exports account for more than 40% of Israel’s economic activity.
“The Bank of Israel has a strong preference to avoid currency appreciation,” said Citi’s David Lubin. “It is possible that the Bank of Israel would like its rate to be as low as possible to discourage foreigners from developing an appetite for the shekel.”
When the shekel has strengthened in the past few years, the central bank has countered with heavy dollar purchases that totalled some $50 billion.
One of the main reasons the central bank had stayed on hold since cutting rates last June is the resiliency of the economy. The bank last month raised its 2012 economic growth forecast to 3.3% from 3.1%.
But it lowered its 2013 estimate to 3% from 3.4%. And in the past month, various consumer and business surveys signalled economic weakness ahead, while the purchasing managers’ index has held below the 40 point level for two months, indicating contraction in the manufacturing sector…Read More>>
