SNB
Big Day for Central Bank Policy Meetings
March 16, 2017
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve increased its target fed funds rate band by 25 basis points to 0.75-1.0%. Although meeting expectations, remarks by Chair Yellen proved more dovish than expected. Policymakers envisage the same number of rate increases this year and next as they did back in December. On the central banking front today, The […] More
Central Bank Decisions in the U.K., Ukraine and Switzerland.. Now Awaiting U.S. Data
September 15, 2016
The Bank of England left monetary policy unchanged, acknowledged better-than-expected short-term U.K. indicators since the August meeting, but left the door open to a possible further interest rate cut. The National Bank of Ukraine reduced its policy interest rate by 50 basis points to 15.0% and indicated likely further easing if and as inflation recedes. […] More
Eroded Confidence in Central Banks
June 16, 2016
The yen leaped as high as 103.55 per dollar from 105.95 at the Wednesday close following the Bank of Japan’s decision not to change policy settings at its June meeting. The Nikkei tumbled 3.1% to 15,434, and the 10-year JGB yield is at -0.21%. Investors were bummed out by Janet Yellen’s press conference yesterday. While […] More
Many Balls in the Air
September 18, 2014
There is much for investors to watch this Thursday. A Scottish referendum on independence will determine the future of Great Britain and have implications far beyond the Commonwealth. The vote is considered too close to predict, although latest polls suggest a marginal edge toward rejections. Markets continue to react to yesterday’s FOMC hand-outs and press […] More
Eye on the Federal Reserve
September 13, 2012
Ahead of the eagerly awaited FOMC policy decision and press conference at 16:30 GMT and 18:15 GMT respectively, stocks are down, and five other central banks have announced their policy decisions. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s Official Cash Rate was left at 2.5%, its level since March 2011. Officials suggested a change is unlikely […] More
Swiss Authorities Set Ceiling on Franc
September 6, 2011
The current massive overvaluation of the Swiss franc poses an acute threat to the Swiss economy and carries the risk of a deflationary development. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is therefore aiming for a substantial and sustained weakening of the Swiss franc. With immediate effect, it will no longer tolerate a EUR/CHF exchange rate below […] More
