The Riksbank, which cut its rate by 75 basis points to zero in 2014, also pledged that it was "prepared to quickly make monetary policy more expansive, even between the ordinary monetary policy meetings, should the need arise."
Further easing would either comprise pushing the repo rate further into the negative, pushing back the timeframe for raising rates, increasing the amount of asset purchases or even creating a program to lend money directly to companies via banks, the central bank said.
Although the Riksbank confirmed its view from December that it does not expect to raise rates until the second half of 2016, the rate of increase will be lower than previously forecast.
The repo rate is now expected to average -0.1 percent this year, down from zero percent forecast in December, and then be raised to zero percent in 2016, from a previous forecast of 0.2 percent, and to rise further to 0.9 percent in 2017, down from 1.1 percent.
While low oil prices are expected to contribute to stronger economic growth, it is also pushing down inflation worldwide, and the Riksbank again cut its forecast for consumer price inflation to only rise by 0.1 percent this year, down from 0.3 percent previously forecast, and by 1.9 percent in 2016, down from 2.0 percent. For 2017 inflation is seen rising to 3.3 percent from 3.2 percent.
The Riksbank issued the following statement: (tables not included here)
"There are signs that underlying inflation has bottomed out, but the situation abroad is now more uncertain and this increases the risk that inflation will not rise sufficiently fast. The Executive Board of the Riksbank has therefore decided to cut the repo rate by 0.10 percentage points, to -0.10 per cent, and to adjust the repo-rate path down somewhat. At the same time, the interest rates on the fine-tuning transactions in the Riksbank's operational framework for the implementation of monetary policy are being restored to the repo rate +/- 0.10 percentage point. Moreover, the Riksbank will buy government bonds for the sum of SEK 10 billion. These measures and the readiness to do more at short notice underline that the Riksbank' is safeguarding the role of the inflation target as a nominal anchor for price setting and wage formation.
Uncertainty abroad has increased
The recovery in the world as a whole is expected to continue in the years immediately ahead, although at a slow rate. However, the risks of a poorer outcome abroad have increased since December. Oil prices have fallen, which is positive for global growth but it also leads to low global inflation. Economic activity also differs from region to region. This is reflected in increased differences in monetary policy between, for example, the United States and the euro area, and in significant fluctuations on the foreign-exchange markets. Recent developments in Greece also contribute to the uncertainty.
Economic activity in Sweden strengthening but inflation is too low
Although the recovery abroad is slow, growth in Sweden will benefit from the low oil prices, the weaker krona and the very low repo rate. GDP growth is expected to increase at a faster pace in the coming period and the labour market is expected to strengthen.
Inflation is still low, but there are now signs that underlying inflation, for instance, the CPIF excluding energy, has bottomed out and is rising. The krona is weaker than anticipated, which will also contribute to somewhat higher inflation. However, low energy prices are expected to hold down CPIF inflation in the year immediately ahead.
More expansionary monetary policy so inflation will rise towards the target
The recent development of inflation has been roughly as expected, but there is a risk that low oil prices will dampen inflation expectations, and thus inflation, more than is assumed in the forecast. To this can be added the increased uncertainty about developments abroad and on the financial markets.
The Executive Board of the Riksbank assesses that a more expansionary monetary policy is needed to support the upturn in underlying inflation so that CPIF inflation approaches 2 per cent and to ensure that long-term inflation expectations are compatible with the inflation target. The Board is therefore cutting the repo rate to -0.10 per cent and adjusting the repo-rate path downwards. At the same time, the interest rates on the fine-tuning transactions in the Riksbank's operational framework for the implementation of monetary policy are being restored to the repo rate +/- 0.10 percentage point. The repo rate is expected to remain at -0.10 per cent until CPIF inflation is close to 2 per cent. It will not be appropriate to increase the repo rate until the second half of 2016.
When the repo rate is close to its lower bound, monetary policy can be made more expansionary by purchasing government bonds. The Riksbank will therefore soon make purchases of nominal government bonds with maturities from 1 year up to around 5 years for a sum of SEK 10 billion. This measure also contributes to making monetary policy more expansionary.
Readiness to do more
The measures the Riksbank is now taking underline that the Riksbank is safeguarding the role of the inflation target as a nominal anchor for price setting and wage formation. To ensure that inflation rises towards the target, the Riksbank is prepared to quickly make monetary policy more expansionary, even between the ordinary monetary policy meetings, should the need arise. This will primarily entail making further repo-rate cuts, postponing the first repo-rate increase and increasing the purchases of government bonds. In addition, there is the possibility of a programme of loans to companies via the banks.
Deputy Governor Martin Flodén supported the direction for monetary policy, that it needs to become more expansionary, but entered a reservation against the decision to buy government bonds now.
The decision on the repo rate and the interest rates for the fine-tuning transactions will apply with effect from 18 February. The minutes from the Executive Board's monetary policy discussion will be published on 25 February. Further information on the Riksbank's purchases of government bonds and interest rates in the operational framework for implementing monetary policy can be found in separate documents on the Riksbank's website, www.riksbank.se.
A press conference with Governor Stefan Ingves and Christina Nyman, Deputy Head of the Monetary Policy Department, will be held today at 11 a.m. in the Riksbank. Press cards must be shown. The press conference will be broadcast live on the Riksbank's website, where it will also be available to view afterwards."
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