Analysis: FOMC Minutes Suggest Gradual, Cautious Approach To 2024 Rate Cuts
By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – At their final meeting of 2023, Federal Reserve officials reached a consensus that they had likely raised short-term interest rates as high as they needed to go but they were not eager to begin cutting rates as dramatically as many had hoped, minutes of the Dec. 12-13 Federal Open […]
Analysis: Bank of Japan Cautious About Lifting Negative Short-Term Rate Target Until Confirming Path to Higher Wages in April
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Bank of Japan policymakers are expected to maintain the current easing stance for now as they are likely to refrain from raising interest rates at least until April, when they may be able to see a clearer sign that wages will continue rising substantially in the next fiscal year. In […]
BOJ September Meeting Summary: Some Optimistic About Sustained Wage Hikes, Inflation Toward Stable 2%; Others More Cautious
–Members Agree Easing Should Continue to Support Wage Hikes but Some Also Call for Review of Easing Tools By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Some Bank of Japan board members predicted that wages may see a sustained hike in the next fiscal year starting in April, supporting a path toward stable 2% inflation, but others pointed […]
Preview: BOJ September Tankan to Show Modest Improvement in Major Manufacturers’ Sentiment
–Supply Chain Recovery Supports Auto Industry but Silicon Demand Sluggish –Eased Covid Rules Helping Services Sector While High Costs Hurting Consumers –December Business Confidence Seen Flat to Slightly Lower –FY23 Capex Plans Among Large, Small Firms Expected to Be Revised Up Further By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan’s quarterly Tankan business survey […]
Powell: Fed Committed To 2% Goal but May Need To Do Less Given Bank Stress
– Williams Blames Demand, Shocks for Inflation – Not Past Monetary Ease – Fed Policymakers Divided on Where Funds Rate Needs To Go By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell renewed the Fed’s commitment to reducing inflation Friday, but gave no clear indication whether he thinks the central bank will need […]
Commentary: US Debt-Limit ‘Impasse’ Sees Biden Holding the High Cards
By Denny Gulino WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – When members of Congress prepare to leave on their next recess the Friday before Memorial Day, the debt-limit showdown will likely have been decided and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will likely have seen his carefully built barriers to agreement be demolished like toothpicks in front of a freight train. […]
BOJ Under Governor Ueda Keeps Easing Stance to Pursue Stable 2% Inflation but Also Decides to Review Prolonged Easing
–No Longer Expects Short-, Long-Term Rates to Go Lower Than Now –Ueda Has Told Diet, Reporters: ‘Appropriate’ to Continue Current Policy Framework; Underlying Inflation Has Not Reached 2% By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan said Friday its policy board decided unanimously to maintain its monetary easing stance, keeping its zero to slightly […]
BOJ’s New Governor Ueda Sees No Need to Change Yield Curve Control Policy Framework or Accord with Government
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said it is “appropriate” to continue seeking stable and sustainable 2% inflation under the bank’s yield curve control policy framework, indicating that there will be no major change to the current monetary easing stance at the April 27-28 meeting. He told an inaugural news […]
<strong>FOMC Apt to Raise Rates Again but Bank Failures Raise Doubt</strong>
– Once Predisposed Toward More Aggressive Moves, Fed Must Now Weigh Financial Risks By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – The Federal Reserve finds itself in an awkward situation as it approaches its mid-March monetary policy meeting. Less than a week ago, it seemed, the Federal Reserve’s policy making Federal Open Market Committee was on the […]
<strong>BOJ Keeps Easing Stance to Pursue Stable 2% Inflation Target After Nearly a Decade of Flooding Markets with Cash</strong>
–March Meeting Last Scheduled One for Governor Kuroda Before His 2nd 5-Year Term Ends on April 8 –Kuroda’s 2 Deputies Will Also Retire at End of Their 5-Year Terms on March 19 –Incoming Governor, Ex-BOJ Board Member Kazuo Ueda Has Told Diet Current Easing Stance ‘Appropriate’ By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan […]