Even as RBI has retained its growth forecast for FY23 at 7.2%, it has raised the inflation forecast by 220 basis points to 6.7% for FY23 above its tolerance band of 2-6%.
But these estimates factor in oil prices at $105 per barrel versus $120 dollars per barrel prevailing now. According to analysts, a $10 a barrel change in crude prices could impact CPI inflation by 50-60 bps.
The generalised surge in the international prices of food, energy and industrial items that began around the war in Europe has not abated, according to Dharmakirti Joshi, chief economist at ratings firm . “This will put pressure on domestic food, fuel and core inflation,” he said.
The latest Inflation Expectations Survey conducted by the Reserve Bank of India indicates that households’ median inflation perception for the current period increased by 40 bps when compared to March 2022 round of the survey, whereas it increased by 10 bps and 30 bps for the three-month and one-year ahead periods, respectively.
The RBI governor has stated that 75% of the increase in CPI forecast is due to food items. Global developments on food and commodities prices are expected to play a key role in determining CPI inflation. “We expect the 10-year bond yields to trade in the band of 7.40 %- 7.60 % in the coming months” said Murthy Nagarajan, head – fixed Income, Tata Mutual Fund.
Besides, there are several domestic parameters that have not been adequately factored in.