In an economic update, NAB said the US Federal Reserve is likely to raise rates three times this year, with the first to be introduced in March.
“We currently expect the next hike will be in March but, at a minimum, this will require more stable financial markets, an improvement in activity measures, and no further slippage in either core inflation or inflation expectation measures,” NAB stated.
NAB said the Fed will also be watching the movement of the US dollar.
“While the Fed views appreciation impacts on inflation as transitory, a stronger dollar nevertheless represents a tightening in financial conditions which could delay future rate increases,” the update said.
NAB pointed out that inflation remains “subdued” as a result of the impact of the rising US dollar on import prices and depreciating energy costs.
Regarding the economy's GDP numbers, NAB predicts that GDP for 2015 will come in at 2.4 per cent and 2.3 per cent in 2016. While both forecasts are a 0.1 per cent downward revision, NAB said employment remains strong.
“Non-farm employment grew by a very strong 292,000 in December, and the weaker growth in August/September already seems a distant memory,” the update said.
“Employment growth is strong and more than enough to bring unemployment down over time. While the unemployment rate has been unchanged in the last two months this reflects an increase in workforce participation, another sign of labour market healing.”
