The Central Bank of Chile maintained its policy rate at 4.5% in a unanimous January decision, citing a more supportive external backdrop and continued progress on disinflation. The board noted improved global conditions, highlighted somewhat stronger US activity and higher copper prices above levels at the previous meeting while warning that geopolitical fiscal and financial risks persist. Domestically activity and demand have broadly matched the September IPoM, with short-term indicators for consumption and investment in line with expectations, even as the Imacec total and non-minero contracted 0.6% and 0.5% month on month in November. The labour market showed little change with the unemployment rate steady and job creation remaining limited. Inflation eased toward target with headline inflation at 3.5% year on year and core inflation at 3.3% in December, and two year inflation expectations remaining anchored at 3%, consistent with convergence to the target over the policy horizon.
