Tag

“The dynamics of the domestic demand were weaker than expected” in the third quarter, stated the central bank.

The October rate is up slightly from 3.97% last month and puts inflation outside of the central bank’s target rate for the first time since June.

The move continues a year-long rate-cutting trend but surprised a market that expected the Banco de la República to leave the rate steady.

The Banco de la Repúblcia said that its decision was impacted by the "weakness in economic activity."

July's rate of 3.4% is a decrease from the 3.99% seen in June and represents the 12th straight month that inflation has fallen.

The central bank again expressed concern about economic weakness on top of low domestic demand and low external demand.

The 3.99% rate is 38 basis points below the 4.37% annual inflation seen in May and less than half of the 8.60% rate in June 2016.

The 25-point cut narrowly won the day among central bank board members with a 4-3 vote. All three dissenters preferred another 50-point reduction.

One analyst firm believes the move "to step up the pace of interest rate cuts is a clear response to the weakness of the recent activity data."

"For now, the Banco de la República is likely to continue to move in 25-basis-point steps," said Capital Economics.