BOJ Kuroda Repeats No Plans for Rate Hike, Rapid Yen Drop Undesirable

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda made it clear once again that the bank’s policymakers are “not considering raising interest rates at all” given their latest outlook that domestic inflation is unlikely to be anchored around its 2% target in the next few years. He told a post-meeting news conference […]

FOMC Minutes: Fed Officials Leaned Toward More Tightening Despite Downside Risks

– 50-75 BP Hike in July Envisioned – Policy Might Need to Become ‘Even More Restrictive” than Anticipated By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve officials tilted toward a more restrictive monetary policy at their mid-June Federal Open Market Committee meeting despite signs of a slowing economy, minutes released Wednesday reveal. Not only did […]

Preview: BOJ June Tankan Sentiment Mixed; Manufacturers Down, Services Up

–Covid Lockdowns in China, High Producer Costs Weigh on Factory Operators –Services Seen Upbeat on Japan’s Eased Covid Rules, Summer Spending Hopes –Business Confidence Projected to Improve in September Amid Uncertainty –Firms, Large and Small, Expected to Revise Up Their Combined FY22 Capex Plans By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan’s quarterly Tankan […]

<strong>Powell: Rates Must Rise To “Restrictive” Levels to Curb Demand, Inflation</strong>

– Still Hopes For ‘Soft Landing’ but Achieving It ‘More Challenging’ By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday that he and his fellow monetary policy-makers must continue to raise short-term interest rates into “restrictive” territory to validate financial market expectations and successfully fight inflation. Powell, testifying on the Fed’s […]

Italy Backs ‘Gradual, Flexible’ Monetary Policy Normalization, Urges ECB to Avoid ‘Hawkish’ Message – Italian Government Sources

By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Italy is warning against a sudden unwinding of Eurozone monetary policy accommodation and calling for a ‘gradual’ but ‘flexible’ normalization process, according to ruling coalition sources. “It is a very delicate moment for the European Central Bank, and it is paramount to avoid having to exit and then re-enter […]

BOJ Keeps Easing Stance to Support Economic Recovery as Inflation Stays Tame

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan said Friday it is maintaining its super-low interest rate targets along the nearly flat yield curve and large-scale asset purchase program to support economic recovery and lead inflation toward its stable 2% target from relatively low levels, staying as a lone wolf while other major central […]

FOMC Headed for June, July 50 BP Rate Hikes; Then Rate Path Uncertain

–September Meeting Could Be Pivotal for Monetary Policy By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Judging from what Federal Reserve policymakers have been saying, a total of 100 basis points of additional short-term interest rate hikes is baked in the cake at the Fed’s upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meeting and the following one in late […]

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to Face Vote of Confidence Monday

–PM needs the support of 180 party lawmakers to remain in office By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – Embattled UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a snap vote of confidence in the UK parliament Monday evening, putting his controversial premiership at risk. The announcement came after at least 54 members – or 15% — of […]