<p>BOE kept the Bank rate unchanged at 0.75% but revised lower GDP growth and inflation forecasts. British pound strengthened against US dollar as the Committee voted 7-2 for the decision. The market had anticipated more members to support rate cut. Once again, Michael Saunders and Jonathan Haskel favored lowering the policy rate. The decisio
RBA Probably Stays Put in February, Rate Cut Inevitably in Second Quarter
<p>The encouraging employment report might make the case of rate cut less strong this month. Economic developments since the December meeting have been mixed at best. Although job market and inflation showed improvement, GDP growth in the third quarter slowed as contribution from household spending dropped while impacts of large bushfires in
Markets Stabilized after Mass Selloff as Global Governments Prepare Coronavirus Support Measures
<p>Financial markets in Asian somewhat stabilized despite the massive crash in the US overnight. Investors are awaiting the next development in global coronavirus pandemic. Governments are all preparing fiscal support to their respective economies. US will announce “very dramatic” actions on Tuesday, which include payroll tax cut
Stocks in Recovery as Markets Await Trump’s Coronavirus Package, Dollar Firmer
<p>Global stocks are staging a recovery today after yesterday’s crash. In the currency markets, Canadian and Dollar are currently the strongest ones for today. Yen and Sterling are the weakest. Governments are preparing or announcing special coronavirus relief packages. EU leaders will also have a video conference today to discuss coord
Coronavirus Theme Continues, Aussie Lower on Consumer Sentiments and Uncertainties
<p>Asian markets soften generally, having no follow through actions the strong but limited rebound in the US overnight. On the one hand, investors are disappointed by the lack of concrete announcement from US on coronavirus relief. On the other hand, the coronavirus outbreak continues to accelerate globally. Number of cases in Italy broke 10k
UK Delivers Coordinated Coronavirus Relief, with Fiscal Package and BoE Cut, Sterling Unmoved
<p>UK is at the center of focus today as BoE announced an emergency rate cut, followed by massive coronavirus relief package from the government. Yet the Pound is relatively unmoved. Stock markets also show no optimism as the outbreak continues to worsen. After initial gains, all major European indices reversed, accompanied by sharp decline i
Yen Jumps after US Bans European Travellers, ECB Stimulus Awaited
<p>Yen surges in Asian session as sentiments are knocked down hardly by US ban of European travellers. Global coronavirus cases jumped to 126,367 with 4633 deaths. Situation in Europe continue to worse, particular dire in Italy, cases in US also rose above 1,300. Nevertheless, new numbers in China, the origin of the global pandemic, are [&hel
ECB to Leave Monetary Policy Unchanged, Focus Turns to Strategic Review
<p>At the upcoming meeting, ECB members would likely acknowledge stabilization in the region’s economy, while reiterating accommodative monetary policy. The focus of the meeting would be the strategic review, the first assessment of the central bank’s monetary policy in two decades. We do not anticipate any change in the monetary policy – ECB
BOC to Leave Rate Unchanged at 1.75%. Disappointing Data Likely Due to Temporary Factors
<p>BOC is likely to leave the policy rate unchanged at 1.75% at the meeting this week. While several macroeconomic data released since the December meeting surprised to the downside, it could take a few more months to confirm the trend. BOC also appears to have downplayed the downside risks of the data. Meanwhile, signing of […]
ECB policymakers push common fiscal responses from governments
<p>ECB Governing Council Member Olli Rehn said that Eurozone is now at a “critical juncture” with the coronavirus pandemic. It is “essential for Eurozone governments to “get their acts together and agree to a coordinated European fiscal response.” “There’s a saying: never waste a crisis. Therefore it&