Excerpts from the Statement by the Executive Board of the Riksbank:
Global economic activity remains favourable, although there is considerable uncertainty over future developments. International inflationary pressure are moderate, but expected to rise going forward. Monetary policy abroad is expansionary.
The Swedish economy has been strong over a long period of time. Inflation is close to the target of 2 per cent, but this is largely due to the rapidly rising energy prices. Different measures of underlying inflation indicate that inflationary pressures are still moderate. However, the strong economic activity creates good conditions for inflationary pressures to rise. CPIF inflation is therefore expected to stay close to the target even when the rate of increase in energy prices slows down.
It is important that economic activity continues to be strong and has an impact on price increases. Monetary policy therefore needs to remain expansionary and the Executive Board has decided to hold the repo rate unchanged at −0.50 per cent, in line with the forecast in July. If the economy develops as expected, there will soon be scope to slowly reduce the support from monetary policy. The forecast for the repo rate indicates that it will also be held unchanged at the monetary policy meeting in October, and then raised by 0.25 percentage points, either in December or February. The Riksbank’s holdings of government bonds amount to a good SEK 330 billion, expressed as a nominal amount. Until further notice, redemptions and coupon payments will be reinvested in the bond portfolio. All in all, monetary policy will continue to be expansionary for a long period of time.
The Riksbank continues to exercise considerable vigilance as regards the development of inflationary pressures in the economy. The krona exchange rate also has a bearing on inflation, and it is important that the krona develops in a manner compatible with inflation remaining close to the target. In addition, there is still considerable uncertainty regarding international developments. The risks of excessively low inflation merit particular attention, as at the prevailing interest rate levels, excessively low inflation is more difficult to manage than excessively high inflation. If the conditions for inflation were to change, the Executive Board is prepared to adjust monetary policy.
The low interest rates are exacerbating the risks linked to high and rising household indebtedness, while the fundamental causes of the high indebtedness still remain. Achieving long-term sustainable development in the Swedish economy therefore requires measures within housing policy, taxation policy and, where necessary, macroprudential policy.