Fed Officials Point Toward Ending Easing Bias, But Leaving Rates on Hold
– Dissenters Hammack, Kashkari Focus on Inflation; Muse About Possible Rate Hikes – Williams, Others See Monetary Policy as “Well-positioned’ for Foreseeable Future – Weight of Official Concerns Has Shifted Away from Jobs to Inflation By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve officials have given additional hints this week that the easing bias the […]
Japan Week Ahead: Markets Jittery After Suspected MOF Intervention to Stop Yen Fall Beyond Y160 as Mideast Conflict Slows Factory Output
–BOJ Board Decides to Stand Pat in 6-to-3 Vote, Mulling Better Timing for Follow-Up Rate Hike By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week and a review of the holiday-shortened past week. The local markets will be closed from Monday, May 4 until Wednesday, May 6 in the […]
FOMC Leaves Funds Rate In 3.5-3.75% Target Range; Keeps Easing Bias For Now
–Powell: To Stay on Fed Board After Warsh Becomes Chair –Four FOMC Participants Dissented, Three of Them Against Inclusion of Easing Bias – Powell: Monetary Policy ‘In Good Place’ To ‘Wait and See’ – Powell: Before Tightening Bias, FOMC Would First Move To ‘Neutral’ Forward Guidance By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – The Federal Reserve’s […]
TRANSCRIPT: Fed’s Powell Q&A; to Stay on Fed Board after Warsh; Could Cut or Hike Rates Depending on What Happens
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is a rough transcript of Jerome Powell’s last post-Federal Open Market Committee meeting news conference Wednesday as Federal Reserve chair:
TEXT: FOMC Statement – Keeps Easing Bias Despite Dissents; No Rate Change, As Expected
— Four Dissents, Three of Which Opposed Inclusion of Easing Basis; Miran Wanted Rate Cut WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Wednesday afternoon’s policy statement from the Federal Open Market Committee: Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, on average, and the unemployment rate […]
Japan Week Ahead: BOJ Seen Standing Pat amid Uncertainty Over U.S.-Iran Standoff in Mideast Peace Talks
–Factory Output, Retail Sales Seen Posting Modest Rebound, Unemployment Stable, Inflation in Tokyo Tame By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. Risk-on and risk-off trading is likely to continue in the financial markets as investors watch for news from U.S.-Iran talks aimed at breaking the impasse in […]
Preview: Japan’s Retail Sales Expected Up in March As Store Sales Improve
Thursday, April 30, 2026 0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Wednesday, April 29) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases March retail sales. Mace News median: +1.0% y/y (range: -0.4% to +1.8%) vs. Feb revised to -0.1% from -0.2%; +0.4% m/m (range: -0.8% to +1.4%) vs. Feb -2.0% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japanese Industrial Output Bouncing Back in March with Rising Exports
Thursday, April 30, 2026 0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Wednesday, Apr 29) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases March and January-March industrial production, outlook for April and May. Mace News median: +0.7% m/m (range: -1.0% to +2.5%) vs. Feb. revised to -2.0% from -2.1%; +3.0% y/y (range: +0.0% to +5.3%) vs. Feb. revised […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japan Tokyo Core CPI +1.8% in April vs. 1.7% in March
Friday, May 1, 2026 0830 JST (2330 GMT/1930 EDT Thursday, April 30) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases April Tokyo CPI.Mace News median: total CPI +1.6% y/y (range: +1.4% to +1.9%) vs. Mar +1.4%; core CPI (ex-fresh food) +1.8% (range: +1.6% to +2.0%) vs. Mar +1.7%; core-core CPI (ex-fresh food, energy) +2.3% (range: […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japan Jobless Rate Flat Again at 2.6% with Uptick in Employment
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 0830 JST (2330 GMT/1930 EDT Monday, April 27) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases March jobs. Mace News median: 2.6% (range: 2.6% to 2.7%)vs. 2.6% in Feb after posting 2.7% in Jan and 2.6% in the previous five months from August to December By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – […]