Central Bank Watch
A 50-Basis Point Central Bank Rate Cut in South Africa
November 18, 2010
While central banks in other commodity-sensitive economies like Australia, Canada and News Zealand have begun to tighten monetary policy, the South African Reserve Bank remains in easing mode. Cuts in the repo rate have been administered in two waves, a total of 500 basis points in six steps from 12% at the start of December […] More
Central Bank Watch
Filipino Monetary Policy Unchanged As Expected
November 18, 2010
Policymakers at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas once more left their key lending and borrowing rates at 6% and 4%, respectively, where such have been since a cut of 25 basis points announce July 9, 2009. The Philippines has a good combination of robust domestic demand-led growth and manageable inflation as attested in a statement from […] More
New Overnight Developments Abroad - Daily Update
Stocks, Bond Yields and Commodities Higher, Dollar Lower
November 18, 2010
The dollar lost 1.0% against the euro and Australian dollar, 0.9% against the kiwi, 0.7% versus the Canadian dollar, 0.6% relative to the Swiss franc and 0.5% versus sterling. The dollar is steady against the yuan and yen. The Japanese Nikkei advanced 2.1% and closed above 10,000 for the first time since June 22. Equities […] More