Central Bank of Brazil
Slight Retreat in the Dollar and A Razor-Thin Bank of England Interest Rate Decision
November 6, 2025
The stepped down a little in overnight trading, losing 0.3% against the euro and yen, 0.2% relative to the Swiss franc and sterling, and 0.1% vis-a-vis the Canadian and Australian currencies. Alternatively, South Korea’s won lost 0.4% against the dollar and even more versus the yen. Ten-year sovereign debt yields rose three basis points in […] More
A Three-Ring Circus of Market Influences
October 30, 2025
A 90-minute meeting between Presidents Trump and Xi in South Korea resulted in a de-escalation of trade tensions but a rise in national security brinkmanship. While a formal trade deal was not signed, an understanding was reached on several points. The treat of a 100% U.S. tariff on China was dropped, and the fentanyl-related levy […] More
Japanese Yen Weakens Broadly and Crosses 150 per Dollar Threshold
July 31, 2025
The Japanese yen fell 0.7% overnight into this morning against the dollar, which otherwise declined by 0.3% against the euro and Swiss franc, 0.2% relative to sterling and 0.1% versus the Australian and New Zealand currencies. The yen got as low as 150.63 per dollar, not far from the 152 per dollar quote when Japanese […] More
Brazilian Interest Rate Hike
June 19, 2025
The Central Bank of Brazil’s Selic interest rate was increased by another 25 basis points to 15.0%, which represents its greatest elevation in a little more than a decade. The vote was unanimous, and the new rate is up from 10.5% as recently as last September. Brazilian CPI inflation of 5.3% last month and measures […] More
A U.S. Holiday and Many Central Bank Policy Reviews
June 19, 2025
In spite of the current U.S. govenment’s crusade against DEI, June 19 remains a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in 1865. Banks, the U.S. stock exchanges and non-essential federal offices are shut. In overnight trading abroad, the dollar rose 0.8% against the kiwi, 0.5% versus the Australian dollar, and 0.4% relative to the […] More
Today’s Half Percentage Point Further Increase in Brazil’s Selic Interest Rate Had Been Expected
May 7, 2025
After decelerating from 12.1% in mid-2022 to 3.2% a year later, Brazilian consumer price inflation climbed back to a 25-month high of 5.5% by March of this year. Today’s increase in the Central Bank of Brazil’s Selic interest rate from 14.25% to 14.75% was the sixth hike since September for a total climb since then […] More
Third Central Bank of Brazil Rate Hike of Full Percentage Point Since December
March 19, 2025
The Brazilian Selic interest rate was lifted at today’s scheduled review to 14.25% from 13.25%. This third such increase within four consecutive meetings of COPOM establishes the highest level since October 2016 and 375 basis points above the 10.5% level seen in 2024 from May until September. CPI inflation of 5.1% in February was at […] More
Brazilian Selic Interest Rate Hiked to 13.25% from 12.25%
January 30, 2025
The Central Bank of Brazil’s Selic interest rate was hiked by another full percentage point, matching the increase made at December’s meeting and bringing the cumulative rise since September to 275 basis points. At 13.25%, the new rate level is its highest since August 2023 and just 50 basis points below the cyclical peak of […] More
Central Banks and Data Storm Vie for Investors’ Attention
January 30, 2025
The dollar fell 0.8% against the yen overnight but has barely moved against other major currencies in the wake of the FOMC meeting that left the federal funds target unchanged at 4.25-4.50%. Fed Chairman Powell said monetary policy and the U.S. economy are in a good place and that there is no urgency therefore to […] More
Rate Hikes in Brazil and Ukraine
December 12, 2024
The Central Bank of Brazil’s Selic interest rate was lifted by a greater-than-predicted full percentage point to a one-year high of 12.25%. This more forceful move than previous interest rates totaling 75 bps in September and November, according to a released statement from officials was necessitated by a backdrop of “additional de-anchoring of inflation expectations, […] More
