Preview: Bank of Japan Q2 Tankan to Show Business Sentiment Slipped as Trump Tariffs Hit Auto, Metal Industries, High Costs Slow Consumers Spending
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan’s quarterly Tankan business survey is forecast to show confidence was flat or deteriorated in most categories in the June quarter, hit by Trump tariffs on vehicles, metals and other goods, with automakers lowering export prices to pay for higher import costs for U.S. customers, according to […]
Fed’s Powell Allows For Rate Cuts ‘Sooner Rather Than Later” – If Inflation Behaves
– Repeats FOMC Can Afford to Wait and Be Careful Amid Great Uncertainty – Says FOMC Must Be ‘Careful”; Doesn’t Need To Be ‘In Any Rush’ By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell reiterated his belief that the Fed can afford to wait for more evidence on inflation and labor market […]
Japan Week Ahead: PM Ishiba in Rough Waters amid High Costs After Ruling LDP’s Tokyo Assembly Poll Setback Ahead of Upper House Election Next Month
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese economic and political events for the coming week following no change in the Bank of Japan’s policy interest rate and a slower tapering pace for the bank’s government bond purchases in fiscal 2026. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party suffered a setback in Sunday’s Tokyo assembly […]
FOMC Holds Funds Rate Steady; Projects Two Rate Cuts in 2025; Fewer After 2025
– Powell: Fed ‘Well-positioned’ To Await Data on Tariff Inflation Impact By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Despite heavy pressure from President Trump to lower interest rates, the Federal Reserve left them unchanged Wednesday, as expected, and Fed officials gave Trump little encouragement for future rate cuts in the near term. Participants of the Fed’s […]
TRANSCRIPT: Fed’s Powell Q&A – Expect Higher Inflation Ahead But Don’t Know How Much, How Long
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is a transcript of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s post-FOMC news conference: Inflation has come down a great deal, but has been running somewhat above our 2% longer-run objective. In support of our goals, today the open market committee decided to leave our policy interest rate unchanged. We believe that […]
FOMC: MINIMAL CHANGE IN OUTLOOK; STILL SEE TWO RATE CUTS THIS YEAR BUT SOMEWHAT LESS SO
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The Federal Open Market Committee Wednesday made only minuscule adjustments to its outlook, still anticipating two rate cuts this year with slightly less enthusiasm. The Fed;s “dot plot” had seven participants seeing no rate moves this year while eight saw two rate cuts. Another two saw one rate cut. The FOMC’s economic […]
ISRAEL-IRAN UPDATE: Pres Trump Gathers Advisers, Says Iran’s Supreme Leader Safe ‘For Now;’ Tells Tehran to Evacuate; Vance Says Action May Come
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – There are signs Tuesday afternoon that President Trump is weighing whether to finish off Iran’s capability to produce nuclear weapons by authorizing the use of penetrating “Bunker Buster” bombs dropped by American pilots. Top advisers have been seen entering the White House with a meeting reported under way in the White House’s […]
BofA Global Research Fund Manager Survey: Global Sentiment Recovers as Trade/Recession Jitters Fade
— Sentiment Back at “pre-Liberation Day ‘Goldilocks bull’” Levels By Vicki Schmelzer NEW YORK (MaceNews) – Global investor sentiment recovered in June as trade and recession jitters faded further, according to BofA Global Research’s monthly fund manager survey, released Tuesday. Sentiment toward the global economy, recession and inflation was back at “pre-Liberation Day ‘Goldilocks bull’ […]
Preview: Bank of Japan to Keep 0.5% Policy Rate for 3rd Straight Meeting in Gradual Tightening Process, Focus on Fiscal 2026 Pace of JGB Purchase Slowdown
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan is set to leave its policy interest rate for the third meeting in a row on Tuesday in a gradual tightening process amid the uncertainty sparked by the protectionist U.S. trade policy but the focus is on its mid-term review as to how drastically it should […]
Japan Weekahead: Bank of Japan Set to Keep 0.5% Policy Rate, Focus on Possible Moderation in FY26 Balance Sheet Trim; Exports Hit by Trump Tariffs, Underlying Inflation Still Below 2%
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese economic and political events for the coming week. – Monday, June 16 1400 JST (0500 GMT/0100 EDT) – The Bank of Japan’s nine-member board begins its two-day policy meeting. On day one, board members compare notes on the economic and financial conditions in Japan and […]