BOJ Kuroda: Current ‘Slight’ Yen Fall Beneficial for Japan’s Economy
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said Thursday that the recent depreciation of the yen has been limited in scope, and thus it is still good for Japan’s gradual economic recovery as its benefit of supporting exporter profits outweighs the cost of surging import prices. He also downplayed the risk […]
BOJ Keeps Easing Stance; Covid Risk Remains, Public Inflation Views Picking Up
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan said Thursday it is maintaining its stimulative policy, as expected, to support economic recovery from the pandemic-caused 2020 slump and continue guiding near-zero inflation toward its elusive 2% target. The central bank remains optimistic about the medium-term outlook for steady recovery following short-term weakness, but also […]
Japan Sept Retail Sales Dip on Pandemic Restrictions, Slashed Car Output
(MaceNews) – Japanese retail sales came in firmer than expected in September but they still posted the second straight year-on-year drop as Covid-19 restrictions remained in place until the end of the month and supply chain disruptions choked new car deliveries, data released Thursday by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed. The ministry […]
Bank of Canada Sees Rate Hike in Mid-2022, Earlier Than Forecast Before
–BOC Brings Forward Rate Hike Timing From 2nd Half 2022 on Economic Pickup–BOC Revises Up 2022 CPI Forecast Sharply Higher, Slashes 2021 GDP Projection–Central Bank Keeps 0.25% Policy Rate As Expected But Ends Asset Purchases By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Canada left its record-low policy interest rate unchanged Wednesday but revised its […]
German Oct Business Confidence Dampened by Supply Delays
ZURICH (MaceNews) – Business confidence in Germany was hampered by supply delays, according to the latest report from the Munich-based Ifo institute. The IFO Business Climate Index fell to 97.7 in October, slightly below the Econoday median of 98.1 in a survey of economists’ forecasts. The September result was revised to 98.9, from the 98.8 […]
ECB’s Monetary Policy To Stay On Course Despite Inflation Rise – BOI
By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – The European Central Bank’s monetary policy is expected to remain accommodative despite the “significant” but “temporary” rise in inflation across the eurozone, the Bank of Italy said in its Economic Bulletin released on Friday. According to the BOI “the significant rise in inflation is attributable to the increases in […]
Japan Sept Core CPI Marks 1st Y/Y Rise in 18 Months on Utilities
— Overall Energy Costs Up; Pace of Gasoline Markup Eases Slightly— Total CPI Posts 1st Y/Y Gain in 13 Months on Rebound in Fresh Food— Downward Pressure From Low Cost Mobile Phone Plans Lingers By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Global supply chain disruptions and reopening demand led energy and processed food costs to rise further, […]
ANALYSIS: Japan Faces Cost Inflation Amid Weak Yen, Slow Wage Growth
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Rising energy and commodities prices may help lift Japan’s near-zero inflation rate but a further rise in the costs for daily necessities would dampen already wobbly consumer spending and surging producer prices would hurt small businesses that cannot pass higher input costs on to customers amid uncertain growth prospects. Japan […]
Bundesbank’s Weidmann Makes Surprise Announcement, to Step Down at Year End
— ECB Governing Council to Lose One Of Its Most Hawkish Rate Setters By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – Jens Weidmann, president of Germany’s Bundesbank, will relinquish his position at the end of 2021, ridding the European Central Bank of one its most hawkish voices. Weidmann has asked German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to “dismiss” him […]
Japan Sept Exports Slower as Global Supply Chain Snag Cuts Auto Shipments
— Imports Surge on Energy, Vaccines, Leading to 2nd Straight Trade Deficit By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese exports stayed above the level seen a year earlier in September but the pace of increase continued decelerating as carmakers and electronics firms cannot meet reopening demand amid worsening global supply chain disruptions, data released Wednesday by […]