Nordea: Norges Bank Unlikely to Cut Rates as Inflation Remains High

Nordea's chief economist, Kjetil Olsen, suggests that Norges Bank can no longer justify further interest rate cuts in the current economic climate. Underlying inflation in Norway remains persistent at approximately 3.5%, significantly exceeding the central bank's official target. Additionally, the domestic economy is showing signs of resilience, with unemployment edging lower and overall economic growth picking up pace. These robust economic factors create a challenging environment for policymakers who had previously considered easing monetary policy. Consequently, the Norwegian Krone (NOK) is expected to find support as market participants price out the likelihood of near-term rate reductions. This "higher-for-longer" stance aligns with the central bank's mandate to stabilize prices amid a tightening labor market and improved growth prospects.