RBI calms jittery market, as call rates top 12%

Second LAF window opened, SLR norm temporarily relaxed

Interbank call money rates surged to more than 12 per cent this morning, even after banks on Friday net borrowed Rs 1,17,660 crore from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) repo window — the highest in two years. Around noon, RBI announced measures to cool the market.

The central bank opened a second liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) window, which it said would be offered on Monday, too. The facility will also be available on Saturday, when it is normally closed.

Simultaneously, RBI temporarily eased the statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) requirement for banks. They will not be penalised if their minimum SLR holding dips to 24 per cent of deposits if they pledge government securities to borrow through Saturday's repo auction. The leeway is ad hoc and applicable only for the Saturday repo.

Banks have to invest up to 25 per cent of their net demand and time liabilities in government securities to maintain SLR. Any shortfall typically invites penal action from RBI.

As a result of the central bank's actions, call money rates closed at 7.15 per cent. This was still its highest level this financial year, according to Bloomberg data. In the second LAF auction, banks borrowed only Rs 350 crore, as the window opened too late, say bankers. RBI described Friday's shortage as "frictional liquidity pressure".

"The regulator should not wait until panic spreads, which was the situation in the morning,'' said a dealer.

The liquidity shortage this week averaged Rs 90,000 crore, mainly because of the Coal India initial public offering, which mopped up a record Rs 15,500 crore. Pressure rose as the IPO received 15 times the bid amount. Money from refunds is expected to flow back next week, providing some relief.

Given the scarcity of funds in the banking system, some bankers argue that RBI should leave rates untouched. Many money market dealers and bankers expect a 25-basis point increase in key policy rates on Tuesday, as RBI continues its action against inflation.

Mutual funds are feeling the pressure of redemption by corporates, banks and financial institutions. Rs Rs Banks have sucked out money from liquid funds to a large extent this month. With several IPOs in the pipeline and due to the central bank's intervention, which is squeezing liquidity, banks are no longer parking money with mutual funds," said the chief executive officer of a mid-sized fund house.

"One of the factors precipitating the problem is the lack of government spending, despite maintaining huge balances with RBI," explained a senior State Bank of India official. Government balances with RBI stood at Rs 25,662 crore on October 22.

However, overall liquidity is unlikely to improve in a hurry, as several companies have lined up fund-raising plans in the busy season. There will be additional pressure from year-end investment liquidation by foreign institutional investors, say fund managers. Adding to the strain on liquidity will be the third tranche of advance tax, which falls due in mid-December.

Moreover, the government has lined up several big-ticket public issuances over the next few months, including those of Shipping Corporation of India, Hindustan Copper, Manganese Ore India and Power Grid Corporation. In January, Indian Oil Corporation is expected to come to the market with an offering of around Rs 19,000 crore -- the largest to date. The private sector also plans to tap the market with mid-sized and large issues.

"The present liquidity situation may improve, but it will take time. I don't expect any immediate rate hike by RBI, as it will aggravate the situation. There is no real credit uptake and not much is expected in the third quarter, except from the infrastructure sector," said Bhaskar Sen, chairman & managing director, United Bank of India.

However, the central bank may still be compelled to go for another rate hike, say some bankers. This is because headline inflation has stayed much above RBI's tolerance level. Food inflation is now becoming structural in nature.

"The market has factored in a 25-basis point hike in both policy rates. As a result, short-term rates have gone up. I don't think RBI will react to the present liquidity tightness, as it may be temporary, and will probably go ahead with a rate hike," said Jahangir Aziz, India chief economist at JP Morgan.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/rbi-calms-jittery-market-as-call-rates-top-12/413200/

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