New Zealand’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), made a decision to keep the cash rate steady at 5.5% on Wednesday. This decision was in line with the expectations of economists, however, the accompanying commentary indicated a potentially less restrictive monetary policy in the future if inflation slows as predicted. RBNZ’s Commentary
Economy
The U.S. stock index futures have been going through a period of growth, with semiconductor and megacap technology stocks leading the way in the recent rally. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq have reached record highs, showcasing the ongoing positive sentiment in the equity market. The Philadelphia semiconductor index saw a significant rise, indicating the strong
China’s new yuan loans are expected to more than double in June compared to May, as per a Reuters poll. Chinese banks are predicted to have issued 2.25 trillion yuan in new loans last month, up from 950 billion yuan in May. This surge is attributed to the central bank’s continuous policy support for the
A rally in chip stocks lifted the Nasdaq and S&P 500 to record highs on Monday as investors awaited fresh inflation data, commentary from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and the start of quarterly earnings season. This surge was led by companies such as Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ:SMCI), and Intel (NASDAQ:INTC). The market
The latest survey conducted by the British Chambers of Commerce indicates a decline in the number of UK firms planning to raise their prices in the coming months. This decrease from 46% to 39% provides reassurance to the Bank of England, especially as they contemplate the possibility of cutting interest rates. The drop in price
China’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD, has recently announced its acquisition of a 20% stake in its local distributor, Rever Automotive, in Thailand. This move signifies BYD’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Thailand, which is currently its largest market outside of China. The company has established itself as a market leader in the electric
The aftermath of President Joe Biden’s performance against Donald Trump in the presidential debate has triggered a recalibration in the U.S. bond market. As investors reassess their positions, there is growing speculation that yields will remain elevated heading into the upcoming presidential election. The surge in the benchmark 10-year yield post-debate highlights the market’s response
The wholesale prices in Japan are expected to have accelerated in June, primarily due to a combination of factors such as a weak yen, increased commodity import bills, and rising transportation costs. These elements are contributing to cost-push inflation pressures on the economy, which heavily relies on international trade. According to a poll of 17
Japanese household spending took a hit in May, as government data revealed an unexpected 1.8% contraction compared to the same period last year. This decline was significantly lower than the market forecast, which had predicted a 0.1% increase. The rise in food prices played a significant role in dampening consumer spending on other items, highlighting
The performance of hedge funds in the first half of the year has been a mixed bag. While some multi-strategy and systematic funds have seen significant gains, macro funds like Caxton Associates and Brevan Howard have faced challenges. Andrew Law’s Caxton Associates, which focuses on macro economics, finished last month flat after a 4% gain
The recent release of weak U.S. economic data has had a significant impact on the foreign exchange markets. Both the pound and the euro saw gains against the dollar following this news. Sterling managed to edge up to $1.2757, while the euro reached $1.0801. The dollar’s decline was sparked by softer-than-expected U.S. economic data, including
The recent increase in first-time applications for U.S. unemployment benefits and the rise in the number of people on jobless rolls towards the end of June have pointed towards a gradual cooling in the labor market. This ebbing labor market momentum, coupled with abating inflation pressures, has put the Federal Reserve on track to potentially
The U.S. stock market is facing a downward trend with futures pointing lower on Tuesday. This comes after a previous session where the main indices on Wall Street experienced a slight rise in light pre-holiday trading. The Dow futures contract has dropped by 0.3%, S&P 500 futures by 0.3%, and Nasdaq 100 futures by 0.4%.
In the first six months of 2024, activist investors launched campaigns at a record number of companies globally, as reported by data from Barclays. This increase in activity has sparked speculation among bankers, lawyers, and investors about potentially more costly battles between activist shareholders and management over leadership changes, spin-offs, and outright sales in the