Central Bank Watch
South African Repo Rate cut 25 Basis Points to 6.5%
July 18, 2019
The South African Reserve Bank by unanimous vote has implemented its first interest rate cut in 16 months, a 25-basis point cut of the repo rate to 6.5%. A released statement observes moderating inflation expectations, signaled policy easing by advanced economy central banks, weaker-than-anticipated global economic activity, and “escalating trade and geo-political tensions.” Officials expected […] More
Central Bank Watch
Second Rate Reduction in Ukraine
July 18, 2019
The National Bank of Ukraine implemented the second move of an easing cycle, cutting its discount rate to 17.0% from 17.5%. A half percentage point cut had been also done in April. A released statement asserts that inflation of 9% is on track to keep falling toward the 5% target and should reach that goal […] More
Central Bank Watch
Bank Indonesia Eases
July 18, 2019
Bank Indonesia’s key 7-day reverse repo rate was reduced to 5.75% from 6.0%. It’s the first cut since September 2017. The previous changes were a pair of hikes in September and November of 2018. Today’s easing was justified by in-target inflation, lessening pressure on Indonesia’s balance of payments, and the expectation of easier Fed policy […] More
Central Bank Watch
Bank of Korea
July 18, 2019
The Bank of Korea’s 7-day repo rate was sliced to 1.50% from 1.75% in a move that surprised some analysts and which was ascribed to mounting trade tensions, easing monetary policies in other economies, and geopolitical risks. In taking this step, monetary authorities revised projected GDP growth this year slightly downward from 2.5% to something […] More
New Overnight Developments Abroad - Daily Update
A Quartet of Central Bank Rate Cuts and Netflix Stock Takes a Large Hit
July 18, 2019
Central bank rates were cut today in South Korea, Indonesia, South Africa, and Ukraine. The likelihood that the Fed will ease at the end of this month played a role in each of these actions. All of the reductions were 25-basis point moves. The share price of Netflix has tumbled 10.75% in response to an […] More
