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The Monetary Policy Committee in its first Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy review, held on 6 th April 2017, kept the borrowing rates unchanged at 6.25 percent. The committee however hiked reverse repo rate by 25 basis points to 6 percent in a bid to drain excess liquidity from the system. Speaking about liquidity, there was approximately Rs. 7,956 billion of excess cash in the banking system in January’17 which now stands close to Rs. 4,806 billion (March’17). This decline was majorly due to RBI’s tooling i.e. Market Stabilization Scheme which helped the central bank to absorb excess cash of around Rs. 3,141 billion by the end of March’17.

According to the RBI staff projections, the inflation rate which currently is at 3.65 percent is projected to rise at 4.5 percent in the first half of 2017-18 and thereafter at 5 percent. Reason behind this upsurge in consumer prices could be attributed to the rising probability of an El Niño event which could boost food inflation. Implementation of 7 th Pay Commission and GST bill along with global developments are other factors for the inflation uptick.

With respect to economic growth, gross value added growth is projected to strengthen to 7.4 percent in 2017-18 from 6.7 percent in 2016-17 primarily due to - rebound in consumer spending, credit growth, recent proposals in the Union Budget which could stimulate capital expenditure, roll-out of GST bill and the upsurge in IPO’s which augurs well for investment and growth.

MPC clearly spells out higher upside risks to inflation. Average CPI is projected to be higher at 4.5% in H1FY18, currently at 3.7% in Feb’17, to 5.0% in H2FY18. Currently, demonetization spillovers has suppressed the headline inflation numbers. Headline inflation is likely to edge higher as the temporary impact of demonetization on perishable food items fades out and core inflation (4.8% YoY in Feb’17) inches up along with cyclical upswing in demand. The factors that are expected to reinforce inflationary pressure include

a) deficient south west monsoon & higher MSPs reinforcing food inflation,

b) increase in HRA as recommended by 7th pay commission is likely to push baseline inflation trajectory by 100-150bps,

c) initial effect from implementation of GST,

d) farm loan waivers by state governments,

e) policy focus to revive demand particularly from increase in budget allocation towards rural & affordable housing,

f) narrowing of output gap as remonetisation progresses,

g) spillover of improving global prospects on commodity prices,

h) rising inflation in advance economies due to reflationary policies,

i) currency impact arising from normalization of monetary policy in advance economies, especially US Fed and

j) protectionism policies adopted across the world.

On growth front (real GVA), the outlook is seen favorable at 7.4% vs 6.7% on the back of

a) gainingremonetisation,

b) reflationary fiscal policies, specially targeted towards rural demand and

c) cyclical upturn in global growth.

According to the RBI governor, global trade volumes are finally improving which means that global demand is no more anaemic in nature. The world’s largest economy i.e. the United States of America is on growth path since all its important economic datasets on labour market, inflation and growth have come on a positive note. However, there is uncertainty surrounding the direction of US macro-economic policies with potential global spill over. The governor also feels that emerging markets are gradually improving on hardening commodity prices, easing recessionary pressures in Russia/Brazil and stabilized Chinese policy stimulus.

The demonetization effect on the economy is finally easing. This can be observed from the rebound seen in manufacturing and service PMI data since demonetization. Both the PMI data lingered close to 49.6 and 46.8 in December’16 and has finally increased to 52.5 and 51.5 respectively in March’17 due to pickup seen in demand for new orders and output. This has benefitted the Index of industrial production (IIP) data which surged to 2.7 percent in January’17 from previous months -0.1 percent. Overall business sentiment is expected to improve in Q1 of 2017-18 on the back of a sharp pick up in both domestic and external demand y | June 7, 2016 www.angelcommodities.com Page 2 RBI Monetary Policy Update 06 April 2017 About the inflation rate, since the last two months the consumer prices have been increasing, all thanks to increase in the prices of sugar, fruits, meat, fish, milk and processed foods. Kerosene prices have also been increasing on the back of reduction in subsidies. With respect to balance of trade, India’s trade deficit narrowed to $8.9 billion in Feb-17 from previous month’s deficit of $9.8 billion due to lower crude oil prices. The above strong macro-economic datasets along with the resounding win of BJP party in Uttar Pradesh elections along with the clearance of GST bill in the LokSabha has led to a sudden surge in inflows which has acted as a positive factor both for Indian markets and its currency. The annual growth rate which was at 7.4 percent in September’16 quarter expanded by mere 7 percent owing to the demonetization move. The Monetary Policy Committee expects economic activities to recover in the second half of 2017-18.

Summing up

The no-change-in-policy was mainly undertaken to guard the Indian economy against any potential flare-up in inflation. Post this event, the Indian Rupee spot has been continuously appreciating and is currently trading at 64.51 levels while writing. USDINR spot is likely to appreciate even more in the near term as uncertainty with respect to Trump’s fiscal policies will keep the American currency pressurized in turn favouring the Indian currency

Liquidity to normalize by Q2FY18 RBI’s has reinforced its earlier outlook of re-emergence of inflationary pressure with a mild hawkish overtone. Hence, even the marginal market expectation of rate easing and softening of Gsec yields has been ruled out. The pace of remonetisation will provide reinforcement to domestic demand and growth outlook. Our projections indicate that complete normalization of demonetization, including reprinting of notes and meeting normalized demand will be achieved by end of Q1FY18, i.e. eight months post demonetization announcement. Expected upside risk to inflation can enhance the hawkish tenor of the RBI’s monetary policy stance. Additionally, prospects of rising global rates led by the Fed’s normalization will condition RBI’s policy outlook, in our view.