Growth to drop, but rebound likely in second half of 2017, as demonetisation impact is transitory: Nomura

NEW DELHI: India's growth numbers are likely to slide in the next two quarters, but a sharp rebound is expected in the second half of 2017 as the demonetisation impact will be transitory and not long lasting, says a Nomura report.

The Japanese financial services major has lowered its January-March 2017 GDP forecast to 5.7 per cent and that of April-June to 6.8 per cent, from 7 per cent.

For 2016-17, Nomura expects GDP growth of 6.5 per cent as against 7.6 per cent in 2015-16, lower than the official advance estimate of 7.1 per cent. For 2017-18, it expects the figure to be at 7.4 per cent.

"While we expect a sharp slowdown in the next two quarters, we also expect a V-shaped recovery in the second half of 2017," it said in a research note.

According to Nomura, the factors responsible for a V-shaped recovery in the second half of this year include release of pent-up demand, minimal wealth destruction post demonetisation and fiscal gains for the government that are likely to accrue in 2017-18.

"We expect a sharp rebound due to the release of pent-up demand post-remonetisation, stronger consumption due to large fiscal gains for the government (around 1 per cent of GDP), wealth distribution towards poorer households, and sharply lower lending rates," the report noted.

It added that while much of the effect of the cash ban will be transitory, others will be longer lasting -- formalisation of the economy, less corruption, boost to government tax revenues and higher financial savings.

"Over time, we expect these benefits to outpace the short-term growth disruptions," it added.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund has revised India's GDP growth forecast on note ban woes by one percentage point to 6.6 per cent for the current fiscal.