TD Securities says GDP running above potential will force the Bank of Japan to accelerate rate hikes to prevent overheating and will abandon gradual tightening. Inflationary pressure is picking up and the labour market should tighten further. TD projects roughly quarterly 25bp increases versus the BOJ’s typical semiannual rhythm, forecasting 25bp moves next week and in December, then 25bp hikes at the April, July and October 2027 meetings, taking the target rate to 2.25%. It warns fiscal policy

2026-09-11

TD Securities says GDP running above potential will force the Bank of Japan to accelerate rate hikes to prevent overheating and will abandon gradual tightening. Inflationary pressure is picking up and the labour market should tighten further. TD projects roughly quarterly 25bp increases versus the BOJ’s typical semiannual rhythm, forecasting 25bp moves next week and in December, then 25bp hikes at the April, July and October 2027 meetings, taking the target rate to 2.25%. It warns fiscal policy is a key variable: expansionary fiscal measures could bring hikes forward or extend the tightening cycle into 2028.