As revealed in the summary of opinions from the Bank of Japan’s March meeting, many policymakers expressed the need for a cautious approach in phasing out ultra-loose monetary policy. One member specifically mentioned that the economy’s health did not justify rapid interest rate hikes, highlighting the divided stance within the board on whether the economy
Economy
Despite facing high interest rates, British mortgage holders and businesses are showing remarkable resilience, according to the Bank of England. Unlike the situation after the 2008 financial crisis, problem debt levels are significantly lower, indicating a stronger financial footing for many borrowers. The BoE’s Financial Policy Committee commended UK borrowers for their ability to withstand
The Bank of Japan has recently made a significant shift in its policy approach by moving away from its dovish forward guidance and embracing a more “data-dependent” strategy. After ending eight years of negative rates and unorthodox policies, the BOJ is now keeping the door open for another near-term hike in borrowing costs. This change
The current state of the foreign exchange market sees the dollar gaining momentum, while the Japanese yen remains at a multi-decade low. The threat of Japanese authorities intervening to stabilize the yen has prevented the greenback from soaring even higher. At the time of writing, the yen is trading at 151.25 per dollar, not far
China’s economic policies are at a crossroads, according to the International Monetary Fund’s Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. In a meeting with senior Chinese officials and global company executives, Georgieva emphasized the need for China to “reinvent itself” in order to address the property market crisis, boost domestic consumption, and enhance productivity. This call for reinvention
The U.S. Congress recently passed a $1.2 trillion budget bill, which was done in an overwhelming manner with a 74-24 vote. This bill will keep the government funded through the fiscal year that began six months ago and will be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature to avert a partial shutdown. The departments
Slovakia is currently in the midst of a crucial presidential election, with Prime Minister Robert Fico’s influence looming large over the proceedings. The election, which is taking place in two rounds, has the potential to shape the country’s future in significant ways. Fico’s ally, Peter Pellegrini, is a frontrunner in the race to succeed President
In Tokyo, the government has been hosting matchmaking events for years in hopes of reversing the decline in marriages and births. These events have involved activities such as parties, dating advice, and fashion tips. However, the city is now taking a new approach by introducing an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered dating app. This app is set
The S&P 500 closed the week with minimal changes, but it saw its most significant weekly percentage gain in a while after the Federal Reserve decided to stick with projections for three interest rate cuts by the end of the year. This decision by the Fed has created a sense of optimism in the market,
The global currency markets have been experiencing significant shifts this week as central banks around the world have made unexpected moves in their monetary policies. The dollar has been on a steady rise, despite a rate hike in Japan and a surprise interest rate cut in Switzerland. This divergence in interest rate settings highlights the
In February, Japan’s core inflation saw an increase, with the core consumer price index rising by 2.8% from a year earlier. This growth was in line with the median forecast of the market and was largely attributed to the base effect from the launch of energy subsidies the previous year. However, a closer look reveals
Recently, Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have taken a significant step towards strengthening their economic ties by signing a deal to initiate negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This move comes after years of strained relations and signals a new era of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Gulf countries, particularly the United
Euro zone banks are currently facing a variety of challenges that require them to adjust how they manage risk. With the end of ultra low interest rates and the emergence of non-traditional competitors, banks need to be prepared for potential disruptions in the market. The European Central Bank’s top supervisor, Claudia Buch, emphasized the need
The deputy governor of China’s central bank recently emphasized that there is still ample monetary policy room to deliver further cuts to banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR). This highlights the ongoing market expectations for more easing measures to support and strengthen the economy. The PBOC announced a significant 50-basis points cut in RRR in January,