Deeper Analysis
April in Figures
April 30, 2018
The dollar experienced its strongest month of 2018 in April, so naturally U.S. share prices under-performed equities in other countries. An upward grind in long-term interest rates continued and was considerably more pronounced in the United States and Canada than in Europe or Japan. Three-month interest rates rose slightly, except in Japan where such dipped […] More
New Overnight Developments Abroad - Daily Update
Dollar and Equities Strengthening on Final Day of April
April 30, 2018
The dollar shows overnight gains of 0.6% against the kiwi and peso, 0.5% versus the Australian dollar, 0.4% relative to the euro and sterling, and 0.3% vis-a-vis the yen, loonie and Swiss franc. The Japanese and Chinese markets were closed today for Showa Day and Labor Day, respectively. Markets in China will remain shut tomorrow […] More
Foreign Exchange Insights and Next Week
Next Week
April 27, 2018
Many Holiday Closures: Japan observes Showa Day on Monday, Constitution Day on Thursday and Greenery Day on Friday. China has Labor Day on Monday and Tuesday. Some of the markets observing May Day on Tuesday are France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Spain, Hong Kong, South Korea,Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Indonesia, India, Singapore, South Africa. Numerous Purchasing […] More
Central Bank Watch
Bank of Japan
April 27, 2018
After a two-day discussion lasting four hours 17 minutes, members of the Bank of Japan left their settings on their QQE policy with Yield Curve Control unchanged. A -0.10% short-term Policy Rate on current account balances of financial institutions held with it. Annual purchases of JGBs totaling about 80 trillion yen. The amount has recently […] More
Central Bank Watch
Central Bank of the Russian Federation Leaves Policy as Is
April 27, 2018
Breaking a streak of five straight reductions of the key central bank between last September and March and totaling 175 basis points, the Bank of Russia Board of Directors agreed to leave such unchanged at 7.25% at today’s review. A released statement said that CPI inflation of 2.4% last month was still low but that […] More
New Overnight Developments Abroad - Daily Update
Plenty of News to Focus Upon
April 27, 2018
The meeting between the presidents of South Korea and North Korea agreed to end their multi-decade war and to deescalate nuclear armament. Share prices in the Pacific Rim climbed 1.3% in New Zealand, 1.0% in Hong Kong, and 0.7% in Japan, South Korea, India and Australia. British GDP growth slowed more than forecast last quarter, […] More
Central Bank Watch
A Trust-but-Verify Approach to ECB Monetary Policy
April 26, 2018
At the third monetary policy review of 2018, members of the Governing Council left all elements of the European Central Bank’s current monetary stance unchanged. A zero percent refinancing rate will continue to be flanked by a -0.40% deposit rate and a 0.25% marginal lending facility rate. Monthly purchases of long-term assets will proceed at […] More
Central Bank Watch
Swedish Riksbank Monetary Policy Left as It Was
April 26, 2018
The Swedish central bank repo rate has been at negative 0.50% since a 15-basis point reduction in February 2016. By that time, the rate had been negative for a whole year, and it has been non-positive since a 25-basis point cut to zero percent in October 2014. The vote by the Riksbank Executive Board to […] More
New Overnight Developments Abroad - Daily Update
Modest Market Retrenchment Ahead of ECB Announcement
April 26, 2018
The ECB Governing Council is holding a policy review to be followed by Draghi’s press conference. The Bank of Japan Board began a two-day meeting whose results will be revealed Friday. The BOJ also releases a quarterly Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices tomorrow, which will update its macroeconomic forecasts. After meetings with U.S. President […] More
Central Bank Watch
Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey
April 25, 2018
Turkish monetary policy was tightened slightly at the latest review. Most of the central bank’s interest rates — an 8.0% one-week repo, a 7.25% marginal borrowing rate, a 9.25% overnight marginal funding rate, and a rate of zero percent for the late liquidity window borrowing rate — were not changed. But a released statement announced a […] More
