UkrSibbank Research: Key rate: hold for now, a cut in April is likely

The central bank of Ukraine kept the key policy rate unchanged at 18%, despite the downtrend in annual inflation in January and in February. The NBU communicated that the tight monetary conditions are needed to reduce inflation to the 5% target in 2020. The next meeting of the NBU board on monetary policy will be held on 25 April 2019. We see a potential rate cut in range 50..100 bps if Q1 inflation (to be published on 11 April) meets the NBU's expectations (8.4%) and there will be no surprise outcomes after the first round of elections.

• Full name
  The National Bank of Ukraine