House price rally could reduce odds of OCR cut: Westpac

The latest Real Estate Institute of New Zealand data, which showed a 6.6% increase year on year in September, could prompt the RBNZ to rethink further aggressive OCR cuts, Westpac chief economist Dominick Stephens told TMM Online. 

Stephens believes the expected November cut – fully priced in by swap markets – is "not a done deal", and the central bank could be swayed if inflation data turns out better than expected. He says markets have "overdone" their estimates for a November rate cut.

He added: "I'd say the odds were closer to 60% [in favour of a cut]. The balance is probably in favour of a cut, but our view is there will not be another one in 2020 because of further growth in the housing market."

In the bank's weekly comment on the housing sector, Westpac economists said REINZ data would undoubtedly make the central bank "sit up and take notice".

The report said a strong housing market might also slow down the loosening of LVR speed limits: "It is unlikely that the RBNZ’s policy of loosening the LVR restrictions will be eliminated, but a stronger housing market might slow the pace of loosening."