Moody's Economist Who Saw Surprise Philippine Rate Pause Predicts April Cut
The lone analyst who accurately predicted the Philippine central bank's surprise decision on Thursday to maintain its policy rate is forecasting that the pause won't be long and easing may resume as soon as April.
Moody's Analytics economist Sarah Tan said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas could cut its key rate at its next policy meeting on April 3, if inflation stays within the central bank's 2%-4% goal and the peso strengthens and holds below the 58 level against the US dollar. The currency closed 0.2% stronger on Feb. 13 to 58.06.
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