RBI holds rates for now, hints at cut in Dec

THOUGH the RBI-led rate-setting panel has decided to leave both the benchmark interest rates as well as the neutral monetary stance unchanged, Governor Sanjay Malhotra has given enough hints at another round of easing.

- BENN KOCHUVEEDAN @Mumbai

After three successive reductions since February-taking the repo down by 100 bps to 5.5%the monetary policy committee (MPC) on Wednesday unanimously voted to take more time to assess the impact of the 50% tariffs on the economy as well as other fast-emerging domestic and external factors. Though the panel retained the neutral stance too, it was with dissent, with two external members-Ram Singh and Nagesh Kumar-wanting to change it to accommodative, the governor told reporters later.