Russian economic growth upgraded, inflation seen slowing

Russia's economy is seen growing slightly faster this year than previously and inflation is seen slowing, a Reuters monthly poll of economists showed on Thursday.

The median forecast of 20 analysts and economists polled by Reuters in late August was for Russian 2017 gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 1.7 percent, above last month's call of 1.4 percent.

Even though Russia's economic outlook has improved, the poll's median forecast is still below the economy ministry's forecast of 2.1 percent this year.

Russia's economic prospects could improve further, however, if the central bank cuts lending rates as analysts expect.

Respondents said the conditions were now right for the central bank to trim the key rate, now at 9 percent, at its next board meeting on Sept. 15.

A resilient rouble and steady oil prices have given the central bank room for a rate cut, analysts at Bank St Petersburg said in comments with their forecasts.

The central bank is now widely expected to trim the key rate to 8.75 percent next month, taking it to 8.25 percent by the end of the year, the poll showed.

"There are the conditions for a further rate reduction, and a step of 25 basis points is optimal," said VTB economist Alexander Isakov. "It insures the central bank against overshooting the trajectory which leads to 4 percent inflation."

The Reuters poll showed 2017 consumer inflation at 4.1 percent, compared with last month's forecast of 4.2 percent.

This marks a slowdown of nearly 17 percent from early 2015.

Now, when headline inflation has already hit a post-Soviet low of below 4 percent, the central bank may embark on monetary easing cycle after keeping rates on hold since in July, the economy ministry...