Deeper Analysis
Comment on U.S. GDP Last Quarter
January 30, 2020
The first estimate of U.S. real GDP growth in the final quarter of 2019 of 2.1% annualized compared to the third-quarter level matches quarterly growth last summer and marks the third straight quarter with growth at or very close to 2.0%. Fourth quarter-over-4Q growth was 2.3%. Calendar 2019 average growth equaled 2.3% as well, lowest […] More
Central Bank Watch
Central Bank Rate Cuts in Ukraine and Sri Lanka
January 30, 2020
The National Bank of Ukraine statement stresses a strengthening currency and inflation that has dropped sharply and is now expected to hover below the 4-6% target band until late this year. The rate was cut 150 basis points to 11.0% today and previously had been reduced by 50 bps each in April, July and September […] More
Central Bank Watch
Bank of England Makes No Policy Change
January 30, 2020
The Bank of England’s policy rate has been 0.75% since a pair of 25-basis point hikes in November 2017 and August 2018. There were no changes made in 2019 or at this week’s first meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee this week. There were dissenting votes, however, but Saunders and Haskel, who have favored a […] More
New Overnight Developments Abroad - Daily Update
Coronavirus Outbreak Tops Busy List of Developments for Markets to Process
January 30, 2020
Several central banks held their first policy reviews of 2020. Those in Chile and Great Britain left their interest rate structures unchanged at 1.75% and 0.75%, respectively. The National Bank of Ukraine implemented its sixth rate cut in nine months, a 150-basis point reduction to 11.0%. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka engineered its third […] More
