Lender Inter expects Brazil's central bank to leave interest rate unchanged
By Gabriel Araujo
SAO PAULO, Aug 21 (Reuters) -Brazil's central bank is expected to maintain its interest rate unchanged at 10.50% until the end of this year as it is already restrictive enough to combat inflation, lender Inter INTR.O forecast on Wednesday, going against market bets.
Interest rate futures in Latin America's largest economy price in an 80% chance of the central bank hiking rates by 25 basis points at its next meeting on Sept. 17-18, as policymakers vow to bring inflation to their 3% target.
The remaining 20% indicate rates would be held steady.
The growing chances of a hike follow remarks by central bank board members indicating that the monetary authority would "raise rates if needed" to fight inflation, although no forward guidance has been provided.
Annual inflation in Brazil currently sits at 4.5%.
"We don't see fundamentals for a hike at the moment," Inter's chief economist Rafaela Vitoria told Reuters. "We consider the current interest rate level to be quite restrictive when we look at the relevant horizon for monetary policy."
Private economists surveyed on a weekly basis by the central bank still forecast the key Selic rate to be kept at 10.50% until the end of 2024, but major financial institutions have revised their projections this week to indicate a rate hike.
XP, BTG Pactual and ASA are among those who predict a tightening cycle beginning in September, with a 25-basis-point increase, and further hikes that would take interest rates to 12% by January 2025.
But Inter's Vitoria, who believes the Selic rate will end next year at 9.5%, disagrees with how markets have interpreted the policymakers' comments.
"Our understanding is that the fact that there is an option to raise rates does not mean that interest rates will be hiked," she said.
She acknowledged, however, that chances of a rate hike have increased, as the central bank could end up following market indications if current bets consolidate.
"We don't agree with, don't think is necessary, but we understand it is a risk."
Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Angus MacSwan
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