Asks about policy challenges given the real-time ceasefire developments.
Haidi Stroud-Watts
Anna Briman
Decision was to hold OCR at 2.25%. Focus is on ensuring medium-term inflation returns to target. The balance of risks has shifted to the upside for inflation.
Higher fuel prices, especially diesel, risk passing through to food and other prices.
Asks if easing is back on the table if energy supplies are restored.
Sherry Ahn
Anna Briman
The focus is on preventing medium-term inflation increase. The Bank will act decisively to hike if inflation expectations, wage growth, or core inflation move up.
A July hike is not pre-announced; it depends on data.
Asks about the gap between weak business confidence surveys and other strong indicators.
Haidi Stroud-Watts
Anna Briman
Performance differs by sector. Exporters have done well. Recent surveys including March show confidence falling significantly. If the conflict resolves, growth could pick up quickly.