Hungary central bank may pause rate cuts in Oct and beyond, deputy governor says
Adds more comments, context, forint
By Krisztina Than
BUDAPEST, Oct 17 (Reuters) -Hungary's central bank may pause its rate cuts not only this month but the base rate could remain at its current level for a longer time if warranted by external risks and the inflation outlook, the bank's deputy governor said on Thursday.
Deputy Governor Barnabas Viragflagged a likely pause in the bank's rate cuts already last week after an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and a shift in the U.S. rate outlook pushed the forint to 18-month-lows.
At a conference on Thursday, Virag reiterated a cautious message, adding that the bank's base rate, which stands at 6.5%, could remain on hold for longer if justified.
"The NBH may pause its rate cuts not only in October," Virag told a conference organised by business website Portfolio.hu.
"If the external environment and the inflation outlook warrant this, the base rate could remain at the current level for a longer time, increasing our relative interest rate premium."
The National Bank of Hungary (NBH), which has slashed borrowing costs by a combined 1,150 bps in its current easing cycle, has said a careful and patient approach to monetary policy was justified but trimmed its base rate further in September by 25 basis points.
However, Virag said the conditions for decision making have changed since the end of September.
He said increased geopolitical risks and a shift in U.S. rate expectations were boosting upside inflation risks, and the bank had to pursue a "patient and tight" policy as emerging markets were facing headwinds.
Sharp falls in the forint to 430 to the euro forced the NBH into emergency rate hikes in late 2022 to shore up the currency.
The forint EURHUF= firmed to 399.50 versus the euro from 401.50 on Virag's comments and then retreated to 400.50. The bank's next policy meeting is due on Oct. 22.
Reporting by Krisztina Than; Editing by Daren Butler
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