Core Viewpoint - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has decided to maintain the benchmark interest rate at 3.25%, aligning with market expectations, while indicating potential future rate cuts depending on mid-term inflation pressures and global economic uncertainties [1][2]. Group 1: Monetary Policy Decisions - The RBNZ's decision to keep the interest rate unchanged reflects a cautious approach towards the current economic outlook, despite some members advocating for a reduction to 3% to support economic activity [1]. - The current inflation rate in New Zealand stands at 2.5%, which is above the RBNZ's target range of 1%-3% [1]. - The RBNZ anticipates that the annual consumer price inflation rate may rise to the upper limit of the target range by mid-2025 but is expected to gradually decline to around 2% by early 2026 [1]. Group 2: Economic Outlook and Risks - The RBNZ acknowledges that global policy uncertainties, rising trade protectionism, and tariff issues are hindering economic growth and may delay New Zealand's economic recovery [1]. - Analysts suggest that the market has already priced in the RBNZ's decision, with future focus shifting to the bank's assessments of inflation, tariffs, and global economic data [2]. - The RBNZ's future monetary policy will adopt a "data-dependent" approach, with upcoming economic indicators and geopolitical changes being crucial for decision-making [2].

Group 1 - The expectation for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates has risen again due to cooling employment and inflation data in the U.S. [1] - The number of initial jobless claims in the U.S. rose to 247,000, exceeding market expectations and reaching the highest level in eight months, indicating a slowdown in the job market [1] - The core Producer Price Index (PPI) for May increased by 3.0% year-on-year, slightly below the expected 3.1%, further supporting the view of a cooling economy [1] Group 2 - The persistent high interest rates are causing structural pressures on the U.S. economy, particularly affecting investment in interest-sensitive sectors like manufacturing and real estate [2] - High financing costs are forcing some companies to delay equipment upgrades and capacity expansion plans, while households are burdened by rigid interest payments on mortgages and auto loans, leading to reduced disposable income [2] - The combination of weak demand and stagnant supply is weakening the growth momentum of the U.S. economy, with rising government debt interest burdens further constraining fiscal policy space [2] Group 3 - The Federal Reserve prioritizes maintaining price stability over short-term economic pain, influenced by historical lessons from the 1970s stagflation [3] - The Fed's unusual caution in the face of inflation risks reflects a deep-seated dilemma within the monetary policy framework, as current core inflation remains above the 2% target [2][3] - The U.S. economy is experiencing a rare contradiction, with simultaneous labor shortages and increased layoffs, complicating the traditional monetary policy response [3] Group 4 - The Federal Reserve is facing the consequences of previous policy misjudgments during the pandemic, which has led to an overly tight monetary policy to restore credibility [4] - The misalignment of political and business cycles forces monetary policy to address structural issues that should be handled by fiscal policy, complicating the decision-making process regarding interest rate cuts [4] - The Fed's cautious approach reflects a fear of reigniting inflation while also being wary of an economic slowdown leading to recession, indicating the limitations of a single monetary policy tool in navigating complex economic realities [4]