<strong>Japan Govt Sees Economic Pickup Signs, Warns of Downside Risks from Inflation, Markets, War </strong>
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government Friday maintained its overview that the economy is showing signs of a pickup amid some soft spots as Covid cases appear to have peaked, but also warned that rising prices, volatile financial markets, and the war in Ukraine could heighten downside risks, according to its monthly report released […]
BOJ January Meeting Minutes: Must See Underlying CPI Trend Amid Pickup on Rising Costs
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Bank of Japan policy board members argued that the central bank must capture the underlying trend in consumer inflation, with a focus on slow wage hikes, even though its annual rate may come close to the bank’s 2% target temporarily as energy and commodities prices rise and the base effects […]
<strong>St. Louis Fed’s Bullard: Get Funds Rate To Neutral Or Higher To Curb Inflation</strong>
– Fed Has ‘Long Ways To Go” To Hike Rates; Should Move Faster Than In Past – After Starting ‘Passive Runoff’ Of Balance Sheet May Need To Sell Assets – Despite Ukraine, U.S. Economy Will Grow Above Potential, Further Reduce Unemployment By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – With inflation “way over” the Federal Reserve’s 2% […]
US Nat’l Security Adviser Sullivan: Pres Biden to Consult w/Allies on Potential Russia Use of Nukes
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan Tuesday answered a reporter’s question about Russia’s use of possibly smaller nuclear weapons in Ukraine: by saying President Biden will this week, in his visit to Brussels, be consulting with allies on ‘that potential contingency.” Sullivan’s verbatim response follows: “President Putin, in the early days of […]
Japan’s Eastern Areas Face Power Shortages After Quake Amid Winter Weather
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Japanese government issued a rare warning of power shortages in Tokyo and surrounding prefectures, urging businesses and households to cut electricity use by 10%, starting Tuesday, as heating demand is rising and supply is falling after last week’s major earthquake. The Japan Meteorological Agency is forecasting cold weather with […]
Former Dove Kashkari Now Says Fed Rate Hikes May Have To Get More Aggressive
– Bullard Explains Dissent In Favor of Higher Funds Rate By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Neel Kashkari has built a reputation as one of the more “dovish” Fed policy-makers, but in an essay released Friday, he sounded distinctly less so. Kashkari, not a voting member of the Fed’s interest […]
BOJ Keeps Easing Stance, To Trim Commercial Paper, Corporate Bond Buying to Pre-Pandemic Levels
–BOJ Vows to Keep Monetary Support Until 2% Inflation Achieved –Japan Economy Likely to Recover Despite Surging Commodities Prices –‘Extremely High Uncertainties’ Over Ukraine Impact on Japan Via Prices, Markets, Global Demand By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan said Friday it is maintaining its interest rate targets and main asset purchase program […]
Japan February CPI Back on Gradual Rising Path, Led by Energy, Food
–Both Core and Total CPI Measures Mark 6th Straight Y/Y Gains –Utilities Continue Pushing Up Energy; Durable Goods on Downtrend –Hotel Fees Pick Up in February After Base Effects Fade in January –CPI Could Come Under Pressure Again If Govt Resumes Travel Subsidies By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Core and total consumer prices in Japan […]
Analysis: Japan PM Kishida to Face Bad Economic News After Omicron Storm
–Economists Revise Down Forecasts to Show Slight Contraction in 1Q By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is likely to face bad news on the economic front after barely surviving voter frustration over public health restrictions imposed about two months ago aimed at fighting a surge in Covid infections caused by the […]
FOMC Lifts Off from Zero with 25bp Rate Hike; 6 More Projected for 2022
– Powell Says FOMC May Move Faster If Needed To Reduce Inflation – Says Funds Rate Could Go ‘Beyond’ Downwardly Revised ‘Neutral’ Rate – Balance Sheet Reduction Plan Could Be Announced As Soon As May Meeting By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – After holding short-term interest rates near zero for two years to support a […]