Fed Vice Chair Jefferson, Others Call For Stand Pat Rate Stance Amid War Worries

By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Just over a week after the Federal Reserve’s policymaking Federal Open Market Committee left short-term interest rates unchanged, majority thinking on the course of monetary policy is little changed, judging from Fed policymakers’ recent comments. Fed Vice Chairman Phillip Jefferson and other members of the Fed Board of Governors […]

Preview: Forecasters See Slower Japan CPI for February on Lower Energy Prices, Utilities

 (Nationwide CPI) Tuesday, March 24, 20260830 JST (2330 GMT/1930 EDT Thursday, March 23) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases February CPI.Mace News median: total CPI +1.5% y/y (range: +1.3% to +1.5%) vs. Jan +1.5%; core CPI (ex-fresh food) +1.7% y/y (range: +1.6% to +1.8%) vs. Jan +2.0%; core-core CPI (ex-fresh food, energy) +2.7% […]

FOMC Leaves Funds Rate Unchanged in 3.50-3.75% Target Range

– Participants Project one 25 BP Rate Cut to 3.25-3.50% By End Of 2026 – Gov. Miran Only Dissent; Favored 25 BP Rate Cut – FOMC: Economic ‘Implications of Developments in Middle East…Uncertain’ – Participants Revise ‘Longer Run” (Neutral) Funds Rate From 3.0% to 3.1% – Powell: Must ‘Wait and See’ War Impact; Balance Upside […]

FOMC Holds Rates Steady As Expected; Says Iran War Implications ”Uncertain’

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The Federal Open Market Committee’s abbreviated policy statement Wednesday made minimal changes to projections for the future while saying simply at the implications of the Iran war are “uncertain.” The text of the statement follows: Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained […]

BofA Global Research Fund Manager Survey:  Bulls Turn into Bears In March As World Growth Outlook Sours and Inflation Expectations Rise.

–Cash Levels ‘Jump Sharply’ In March –Geopolitical Conflict Top Tail Risk by Vicki Schmelzer NEW YORK (MaceNews) – Global fund managers turned from bullish to bearish in March, with shifting sentiment driven by a souring world growth outlook and rising inflation expectations, according to the latest Bof Global Fund Managers survey, released Tuesday. Accordingly, cash […]

Preview: Forecasters See Drop in Japanese Capex Spending in January Report

0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Wednesday, March 18) The Cabinet Office releases January machinery orders.Mace News median: core orders -11.0% m/m (range: -13.9% to -5.5%) vs. Dec +19.1%; +9.7% y/y (range: +6.2% to +16.0%) vs. Dec +16.8% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s core machinery orders, a key leading indicator of business investment in […]

Preview: Forecasters See Slower Japanese Export Growth in February Report

0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Tuesday, March 17) The Ministry of Finance releases February trade.Mace News median: exports +1.6% y/y (range: -3.5% to +4.0%) vs. January +16.8%; imports +12.5% y/y (range: +9.1% to +16.2%) vs. a revised -2.4% in January from -2.5%; trade deficit ¥516.95 billion (range: a deficit of ¥660.00 billion to a surplus […]