Peru Sees Rates Steady: Velarde

Peru’s central bank does not yet see signs for a rate cut, despite a dramatic drop in commodity prices that may force authorities to revise down growth forecasts, its central bank governor Julio Velarde tells LatinFinance. “Of course we see a slowdown but the signs are still not there [for lowering rates]. This growth slowdown was expected, but I don’t believe it will be more dramatic,” the official says. Velarde’s comments came amid mounting speculation that the central bank will move to slash rates to boost growth that is below market expectations. It next meets May 9. The governor adds that even though commodity prices have fallen, “they’re still at a plateau that is pretty high.” The central bank might revise down its growth projections, he said. “There has been such a dramatic fall in commodity prices that we now have to review our forecasts for growth for the coming years. These prices might affect the growth of the economy.” But he insists that growth was nevertheless stable. “We don’t have the tailwinds anymore but we don’t have the headwinds either.” Authorities were projecting an average of 6.5% growth before the drop in commodity prices, he added. Peru’s output expanded 5% in February from a year earlier after a 6.2% jump in January, the national statistics agency reported this month. The central bank kept rates on hold for a 23rd consecutive month on April 11, citing stable growth and slowing inflation.