Central Bank Watch
FOMC Releases Somewhat More Upbeat Statement and Keeps Interest Rate Target Unchanged
May 1, 2019
As expected, the federal funds rate target was left at 2-1/4 to 2-1/2%, its level since a 25-basis point hike in December. Officials after the last meeting in March indicated that a rate hike in 2019 is unlikely. Today’s statement reversed some economic downgrades that were made in March related to economic activity, overall inflation, […] More
Central Bank Watch
FOMC Preview
May 1, 2019
At the previous review of U.S. monetary policy on March 20, members of the Federal Open Market Committee modified their forward guidance on interest rates, eliminating each of the likely two hikes in 2019 that had been signaled at the final 2018 FOMC meeting in December. m date to be mentioned at this time. A […] More
Deeper Analysis
April in Figures
May 1, 2019
The first-quarter rebound in share prices continued in April at pretty much the same pace of climb but with British stocks lagging somewhat. Central bank interest rates were not changed during the month in the U.S., Euroland, Great Britain, Japan, or Switzerland. U.S. President Trump sustained his tweeting campaign, urging the Fed to cut rates […] More
New Overnight Developments Abroad - Daily Update
Holidays and Waiting for the FOMC Rate Announcement
May 1, 2019
Many centers are closed for May Day/Labour Day observances, including China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Greece, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Norway, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand. Japan’s Golden week continues with today’s accession of Naruhito as emperor, and India’s Maharashtra Day has been marred by vandalism in which fire […] More
