price control
The members of the Monetary Board (JM) analyzed tonight, the evolution of the main indicators of the national economy and left the reference interest rate by 4.50%.
The members of the Monetary Board announced the decision on the leading rate of interest, the first of the year. (Free Press Photo: Courtesy)
Then, from the first session of the year, the members of the Monetary Board (JM) revealed the decision on the leading interest rate of monetary policy, They decided to keep 4.50%the indicator in February, said at a press conference, Álvaro González Ricci and José Alfredo Blanco Valdés, president and vice president of the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat).
The indicator was reduced in September 25 basic points, Similar to November 2024, so 5% went to 4.50%. Now with tonight’s decision, it remains in 4.50% according to the vote unanimously.
During the press conference it was stated that the decision was based on the internal and external economic situation, especially of the United States economy, as well as the performance of several macroeconomic indicators to which monitoring is provided as the international price of the barrel of oil and other raw materials. Also about the world economy.
The inflationary rhythm in January 2025 was 2.19% and is higher than that reported in December that was 1.70%. Inflation is the widespread price increase in the economy and the leading rate of monetary policy interest is an instrument to control the variable.
According to the National Institute of Statistics, monthly inflation in January was 0.50%, in which the increase in the price of electricity influenced.
By 2025, the forecast is that the inflationary rhythm is located at 4% plus 1% that is the central value of the goal determined by the JM, the authorities reiterated.
The trajectory
May 2022 to date, the leading rate has risen from 1.75% to 5% and then begins to decrease.
- From January to April 2022: 1.75%
- May 2022: 2%
- June 2022: 2.25%
- August 2022: 2.75%
- September 2022: 3%
- November 2022: 3.75
- January 2023: 4.25%
- February 2023: 4.50%
- March 2023: 4.75%
- April 2023: 5%
- May 2023: 5%
- June 2023: 5%
- August 2023: 5%
- September 2023: 5%
- November 2023: 5%
- February 2024: 5%
- March 2024: 5%
- April 2024: 5%
- May 2024: 5%
- June 2024: 5%
- August 2024: 5%
- September 2024: 4.75%
- November 2024: 4.50 %
- February 2025: 4.50%