NZ central bank signals done raising rates after hiking to 14-year high

WELLINGTON -New Zealand’s central bank on Wednesday signaled it was done tightening after raising rates by 25 basis points to the highest in more than 14 years at 5.5 percent, ending its most aggressive hiking cycle since 1999.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s (RBNZ) indication the official cash rate (OCR) would now be on hold defied market expectations that it might forecast further hikes and sent the New Zealand dollar down 1.25 percent.

“The big surprise was leaving the OCR forecast unchanged. It says they’re done (hiking),” said Imre Speizer, head of new strategy at Westpac. “So that is a major surprise.”

He added the statement was very dovish.

The RBNZ forecasts the off…

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