Should you wait for FD rate hike or invest now?

In September 2026, retail inflation in India spiked to 5.54%, a notable increase from 4.85% in the previous month. This surge in inflation is attributed to factors like supply disruptions and high crude oil prices, as well as the potential for further RBI rate hikes. Experts predict the RBI may raise the repo rate due to inflation concerns. Consequently, banks might be compelled to raise fixed deposit (FD) interest rates, providing relief for FD investors who have been dealing with low rates for the past four years.

Should investors wait for FD rates to increase before investing or should they invest now? If banks raise FD rates by 10-100 basis points (bps), a Rs 2 lakh investment in a 5-year FD could earn an extra Rs 4,056 to Rs 13,744 over five years. However, waiting for higher rates comes with risks. Experts suggest a middle path—invest a portion now and the remainder later, once the rate outlook is clearer.

An FD laddering strategy is also recommended, where the investment is divided into deposits of various maturities. This approach allows investors to benefit from potential rate hikes while maintaining flexibility in their FD investments.