World News | Russia Hikes Interest Rate for 4th Time This Year as Inflation Persists

Moscow, Oct 27 (AP) Russia's Central Bank on Friday raised its key lending rate for the fourth time in half a year in an effort to bring down surging inflation.

The bank raised the rate to 15 per cent, up 200 basis points. The interest rate in the first half of the year was 7.5 per cent.

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“Current inflationary pressures have significantly increased to a level above the Bank of Russia's expectations,” the bank said in a statement.

It said seasonally adjusted price growth in the third quarter exceeded an annualised 12 per cent and inflation for the year is expected to be about 7 per cent. The bank said it expected inflation to fall to about 4 per cent in 2024.

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Raising interest rates is intended to impede inflation by increasing the cost of borrowing and encouraging savings.

“Steadily rising domestic demand is increasingly exceeding the capabilities to expand the production of goods and the provision of services. Inflation expectations remain elevated. Lending growth paces are invariably high,” the bank said.

Sanctions imposed over Russia's military operation in Ukraine and increased defence spending have taken a toll on the Russian economy, notably on the ruble's exchange value, which has dropped about 25 per cent against the US dollar this year. (AP)

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