Bank of Japan Hikes Overnight Rate Target to 0.25% from Range of 0% to 0.1% in 7 to 2 Vote
–BOJ Releases Specific Plans to Trim its Monthly JGB Purchases to Y3 Trillion from Y6 Trillion by end of Q1 2026–BOJ Governor Ueda: Raised Rates Because Economy, Prices Have Been on Track–Ueda: Weak Yen Impact on Prices ‘Not Necessarily Biggest Reason’ for Rate Hike By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan said Wednesday […]
Japan June Retail Sales Up 3.7% Y/Y Rise Vs. 2.8% in May as Delayed Rainy Season Boosts Demand for Summer Clothing, Air Conditioners
–METI Upgrades View for 2nd Straight Month: Retail Sales on Uptrend Vs. Gradual Uptrend By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese retail sales rose 3.7% on year in June, above the consensus call of a 3.0% rise, with the pace of increase accelerating from a downwardly revised 2.8% gain in May, thanks to a delayed rainy […]
Preview: Bank of Japan Expected to Keep Rate Target This Week, Seek Rate Hike in September if Data Shows Wage Hikes Spreading to Smaller Firms, Pushing Up Weak Services Costs
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan board is widely expected to maintain its policy stance at its two-day meeting this week and wait until its next meeting on Sept. 20-21 to follow up on its first rate hike in 17 years in March by raising the overnight interest rate target to 0.25% […]
Japan Government Keeps Its View on Economic Recovery amid Wage Hikes, Warns of Drag from High US, European Rates, China’s Real-Estate Woes
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government maintained its overall assessment that the economy is recovering “moderately” and is likely to stay on course as many firms are raising wages at a higher pace to secure workers and although exports are now largely flat. In its monthly report released Thursday by the Cabinet Office, the […]
Bank of Canada Trims Policy Rate Further by 25 Basis Points to 4.50% on Easing Inflation, Cooling Economy; Leaving Door Open for More Cuts
–BoC: Excess Supply Lowers Inflationary Pressures but Shelter, Some Other Services Holding Inflation Up–Governor Macklem: Downside Risks Taking on Increased Weight in Monetary Policy Deliberations–Macklem: Need Growth to Pick Up So Inflation Does Not Fall Too Much, Even as We Work To Get Inflation Down To 2% Target By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank […]
Japan June Core CPI Annual Rate Edges Up to 2.6% from 2.5% in May as Effects of Renewable Energy Fee Hike, Reduced Utility Subsidies Offset Easing Processed Food Markups
–Total CPI June Y/Y Rise Steady at 2.8%; Fresh Food Prices Still Up 8%–Core-Core CPI (Ex-Fresh Food, Energy) Annual Rate Creeps Up to 2.2% from 20-Month Low of 2.1% in May By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Consumer inflation in Japan inched up in two of the three key measures in June on reduced subsidies for […]
Ex-BOJ’s Momma Sees BOJ Cautious About Rate Hike Timing amid Slow Services Price Rise; Not in Position to Act on Weak Yen
–Momma Expects BOJ Rate Hikes in September, January but Warns of Economic Uncertainty–Momma Estimates BOJ’s Own Measure of Underlying Inflation at 1.5%, Still Below 2% Target–Momma: Central Banks Alone Cannot Anchor Inflation; Need Fiscal, Tax Policy Backup for Wealth Redistribution By Max Sato TOKYO (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan will remain cautious about following […]
Japan June Export Rise Led by Chip-Making Equipment, Non-Ferrous Metals on Recovering Chinese Demand; Trade Balance Posts 1st Surplus in 3 Months
–Imports Up on Strong Demand for Computers, Engines, Smartphones–Exports to China Post 7th Straight Y/Y Rise Following Last Year’s Slump–Exports to US Remain Robust; Those to EU Mark 3rd Straight Y/Y Slip By Max Sato (MaceNews) –Japanese export values rose 5.4% for the seventh straight year-over-year increase in June, led by solid demand for semiconductor-making […]
Preview: Gradual Easing in Inflation, Softer Economic Climate Raise Odds of Bank of Canada Rate Cut Next Week
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Sticky but easing inflation, rising unemployment and slower growth prospects have raised the possibility that the Bank of Canada’s policymakers will lower the short-term interest rate target next week, following up on their initial rate cut last month. The CPI report for June released Tuesday showed the annual inflation rate […]
Bank of Canada Q2 Survey: Business Outlook Remains Pessimistic amid Weak Demand, High Interest Rates, Leading to Slower Capex
Bank of Canada survey shows inflation expectations down