Is India’s economy set to achieve 7% growth this fiscal?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Dec 15 (NationPress) India's economy is poised to grow approximately 7% this fiscal year (FY26), buoyed by robust household consumption and declining inflation, as outlined in a recent report.
The report by Crisil indicates that the Reserve Bank of India's policy adjustments and targeted liquidity strategies are anticipated to sustain favorable financial conditions.
"The combination of diminishing inflation and government capital expenditure will ease in the latter half of FY26. Nevertheless, consumption is projected to remain strong, thanks to the delayed effects of the RBI's interest rate cuts and tax relief measures," the report noted.
"In addition to lower policy rates, the RBI's liquidity easing efforts will bolster financial conditions throughout this fiscal year," it continued.
The recent open market purchases of government bonds and the $5 billion USD/INR buy/sell swap introduced by the central bank for mid-December are expected to maintain comfortable liquidity levels, the firm predicted.
However, global uncertainties and their repercussions on foreign portfolio investors (FPI) and the rupee may introduce some fluctuations, the report emphasized.
In November, markets exhibited mixed trends as FPIs remained net buyers, although the inflow volume decreased to $0.3 billion from $4 billion in October. Two factors contributed to tighter financial conditions in November: a decline in net FPI inflows and rupee depreciation, the report stated.
The equity market experienced net outflows of $0.4 billion compared to an inflow of $1.7 billion in October, while debt inflows significantly slowed due to rising US Treasury yields.
A heightened liquidity surplus and subsequent softening of money market rates, along with gains in equity markets, moderated the decline in the Crisil Financial Conditions Index (FCI).
The firm predicts that retail inflation will average around 2.5% this fiscal year, down from 4.6% last year, aided by low crude oil prices and GST relief that should maintain headline inflation within the RBI's acceptable range.