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BRUK Macro Insight -- Ukraine: NBU increased key policy rate

The National Bank of Ukraine raised the key policy rate by 100 bps to 14.5%, a decision that was widely unexpected by market participants. The NBU's decision was primarily aimed at taming inflation, which was still higher than the regulator's forecast-13.6% YoY in November, while the NBU expected 12.2% YoY at the end of the year-despite the increase in the key policy rate by 100 bps to 13.5% at the end of October. Rising core inflation-8.6% YoY in November, up from 8.1% YoY and 7.7% YoY in October and September-was seen as alarming by the regulators.