The recent transition to faster trade settlements for securities in the U.S. has been met with processing bumps, according to market participants. The move from a two-day settlement cycle (T+2) to a one-day settlement cycle (T+1) was adopted to comply with a rule change by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This shift in the
Economy
Thailand’s central bank has indicated that adjustments to interest rates may be considered based on changes in the outlook for the economy and inflation. However, Deputy Governor Alisara Mahasandana emphasized that interest rates are not the primary tool for stimulating economic growth. The Bank of Thailand’s current inflation target range of 1% to 3% is
Recently, New Zealand’s central bank announced new rules that will limit how much housing finance lenders can provide for borrowers looking to take on high levels of debt relative to their incomes. This decision comes as policymakers aim to reduce default risk in the country’s volatile housing market. Implementation Date for the Rules According to
Governor Kazuo Ueda of the Bank of Japan (BOJ) emphasized the need for caution when it comes to inflation-targeting frameworks. He acknowledged that Japan faces unique challenges after years of ultra-easy monetary policy. While progress has been made in shifting away from zero and raising inflation expectations, Ueda stressed the importance of proceeding carefully to
The upcoming week will see a focus on inflation data coming out of the United States. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, a key gauge of inflation favored by the Federal Reserve, is set to be released on Friday. This data will provide important insights into the direction of interest rates for the remainder
French President Emmanuel Macron’s upcoming state visit to Germany is a crucial event as the European Union’s two biggest powers aim to display unity ahead of the EU parliamentary elections. At a time of significant challenges for Europe, such as the Ukraine war and the potential election of Donald Trump as U.S. president in November,
The current situation in Russia poses growing risks for European banks, as highlighted by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Operating in Russia not only creates reputational challenges but also involves navigating through a complex web of sanctions and regulations. Yellen mentioned that the United States is considering strengthening its secondary sanctions on banks that engage
Argentine President Javier Milei has announced plans for a “significant” tax reduction in an effort to reduce state intervention in the country’s economy. Facing a prolonged economic crisis with soaring inflation rates, Milei is urging Congress to approve a series of economic reforms aimed at stimulating investments and revitalizing the economy. Despite his ambitious plans,
Finance leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced nations met recently in Stresa, Italy, and reaffirmed their commitment to warning against excessively volatile currency moves. This language is seen as a signal to Japan that they have the green light to intervene in the market to prevent rapid falls in the yen. However, despite
At a recent meeting in Stresa, Italy, finance chiefs from the Group of Seven (G7) industrial democracies discussed the potential use of future income from $300 billion of frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion of its neighbor in February 2022. The G7 aims to find ways to leverage these
As the 2024 general elections in India approach, the initial opinion polls suggested a strong likelihood of the NDA, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, securing a third term with a significant majority. However, the actual progress through the first five phases of voting has raised doubts about these projections. Lower voter turnout, along with
South Korea’s central bank recently decided to maintain interest rates at a 15-year high, citing concerns over inflationary pressures despite stronger-than-expected economic growth. The Bank of Korea Governor, Rhee Chang-yong, emphasized the need to keep policy restrictive to combat sticky inflation and sustain economic stability. This decision reflects the delicate balance between supporting growth and
The London Stock Exchange is set to see the launch of exchange-traded products (ETPs) backed by cryptocurrencies, marking a significant development in the world of digital assets. WisdomTree and 21Shares have announced their plans to introduce these innovative financial products, following approval from the UK’s financial regulator. In a move that signals growing acceptance of
According to a recent report from PwC, sectors that are embracing artificial intelligence are experiencing a significant boost in productivity compared to those that are not. The report reveals that professional and financial services, as well as information technology, have seen a productivity growth rate of 4.3% between 2018 and 2022. In contrast, sectors like