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MR - Experts Views

No point on mortgage curve safe now

Monday 2nd of November 2009

The Westpac Weekly Commentary says recent comments from the RBNZ strongly hint that it is leaning towards moving "late and hard". This would put it at odds with other central banks favouring a more pre-emptive approach, particularly with policy rates still at "emergency settings".

"The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and Norges Bank have begun raising rates on this basis, European Central Bank officials have commented on the need to act early, and there's even speculation that the Fed will look at rewording its commitment to low rates at this week's review," it says.

Westpac believes that the RBNZ will have started moving rates by March and also comments that with six-month fixed mortgage rates having now risen, there is now no point on the mortgage curve that appears to be "safe".

The RBNZ's statement last week validated the ANZ/National Bank economists' view that the market is premature in pricing in tightening from early next year, this week's Market Focus says.

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