New forecast might persuade Czech central bank to hike again

A few weeks ago, we were rather sceptical of the Czech national bank delivering another rate hike after delivering one at the end of the June. However, latest comments from central bank representatives suggest another 25bps hike next week is slightly more likely than staying on hold, which is our new base case.

Apart from the hawkish signals from the deputy governor Mojmir Hampl and board member Vojtech Benda, the Chief Economist of the bank signalled a significant change in the forthcoming staff-forecast due to a weaker than expected koruna. As the CZK deviated from the May forecast in 2Q18 by 1.6%, and 2H18 deviation is likely to be around 3.5%, this significantly increases the need to tighten monetary policy via the interest rate channel.

Assuming a weaker path of the koruna in the new central bank forecast and the Bank aiming to deliver a similar amount of cumulative tightening delivered via the mix of the FX and rate channels as in the May forecast, we are likely to see a very hawkish interest rate path. Indeed, the new forecast will most likely project further two to three hikes this year and at least six by the end of 2019.

More importantly, the market priced in recent hawkish signals from the CNB and expects a hike next week with more than 80% probability. Also, in the nine-month horizon, three rate hikes are expected by the central bank.

Hawkish forecast and the fact the koruna remains relatively weak, despite market expectations will most likely persuade even less hawkish board members for the August hike as an adequate policy reaction.