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Wary of inflation, Taiwan reserve bank raises essential rate in surprise move

Taiwan's central bank surprised markets by raising its policy rate on Thursday, cautious of continued inflationary pressures and ahead of an expected rise in electrical energy prices next month, a tightening at chances with the more comprehensive international pattern.

Major central banks are signalling that interest rates will likely relocation lower in coming months as inflation compromises, leaving Taiwan as somewhat of an outlier in addition to the Bank of Japan, which also raised rates this week.

Taiwan's central bank hiked the benchmark discount rate to 2% from 1.875%, where it has stood because last March, pointing out issue about the result of April's power cost walking and as inflation persists.

In a poll, 25 out of 26 financial experts had anticipated the central bank would keep the rate the same. Still, the brand-new rate remains at a much lower level relative to major economies.

Reserve bank governor Yang Chin-long stated the decision was not unanimous, with one board member voting to stand pat.

The tone of our financial policy is still tightening, but it will not be yet tighter, he informed reporters, describing the walking as moderate. Our hiking is not the like other nations. We are doing it gradually, and on a small scale.

Yang added while the reserve bank would not provide guidance like the U.S. Federal Reserve, there will most likely not be further hikes for Taiwan.

The reserve bank increased its projection for the customer cost index (CPI) this year to 2.16% from a previous prediction of 1.89%.

The island's CPI rose 3.08% in February, a 19-month high, as food costs climbed throughout the Lunar New Year vacation.

Taiwan's government will reveal on Friday by just how much electrical power prices will go up.

First Capital Management expert Chengyu Liu explained the rate rise as a preventative measure to reduce inflation expectations ahead of the electricity rate increase.

I don't anticipate at the moment that the central bank will continue to raise rates, Liu included.

Taiwan's unexpected rate increase follows the U.S. Federal Reserve's choice on Wednesday to leave rates on hold though it indicated it would stick with strategies to cut borrowing costs this year.

Taiwan's central bank likewise raised its 2024 price quote for financial growth to 3.22% from a projection of 3.12% in December, as international demand for made-in-Taiwan tech products along with domestic costs rebound.

The economy grew at its slowest rate in 14 years in 2023.

(source: Reuters)