The Federal Reserve has raised rates by 50 bps as expected and seems open to further hikes. QT program launch and its potential ramp-up make the dollar scarcer. What most market participants see as most important, is the Fed comment on inflation: it is still high, “owing to supply and …
Read More »European Central Bank Preview
For the ECB, the latest Eurozone data provide a discomforting combination of record-high inflation and slow first-quarter growth. The level and widespread nature of the former are forcing the central bank to act, and markets are now pricing in 90 bp of rate hikes this year, although the latter provides …
Read More »BoE Preview: Forecasts From Four Major Banks
Wells Fargo “For May, the consensus forecast (and Wells Fargo forecast) is for the BoE to deliver another 25 bps hike, which would take the policy rate to 1.00%. We expect the BoE’s economic projection to include an upward revision to its CPI inflation forecast and a downward revision to …
Read More »The dollar continues to decline from the highest level in 20 years
On Wednesday, the dollar index continued to retreat from its highest level in 20 years after it had already digested expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates by half a point later on Wednesday and about 250 basis points by the end of the year. Currency markets are …
Read More »Oil jumps 3% as the European Union announces plans to ban Russian crude
Oil prices jumped on Wednesday as the European Union, the world’s largest trading bloc, announced plans to phase out Russian oil imports, offsetting fears of declining demand from China, the world’s largest oil importer. By 0746 GMT, Brent crude futures rose $2.94 a barrel, or 2.8 percent, to $107.91 a …
Read More »Oil rises 1% after US crude stocks signal tighter supply
Oil prices rose in early Asian trade on Wednesday after industrial data showed a decline in US crude and fuel stocks, which raised supply concerns. The price hike comes on the back of Tuesday’s news that the European Union is preparing to impose new sanctions on Russia over its invasion …
Read More »FOMC Considers Aggressive Measures As Investors Await Rate Decision
The investors’ major focus point on Wednesday will be on the decision and press conference by the two-day Fed’s policy meeting, as financial markets expect the US central bank to press ahead with a rate hike and formally announce the launch of a much-anticipated balance sheet reduction.The Federal Open Market …
Read More »Euro steadies near five-year lows ahead of ECB President Lagarde’s speech
On Tuesday, the euro settled near a five-year low against the dollar, ahead of a speech by European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde. The dollar fell slightly from its highest level in 20 years against a basket of currencies before an expected hike in the US interest rate this week, …
Read More »Oil prices fall amid fears of falling demand in China and the European Union is considering banning Russian oil
Oil prices fell on Tuesday under pressure from China’s COVID-19 shutdown that could affect demand, but prices found support from a possible European oil embargo on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Beijing, which records dozens of new infections with the Coronavirus daily, is conducting mass examinations of the population …
Read More »Could PCE Data Drive Looming Critical FOMC Meeting?
The Fed’s favorite inflation gauge slowed in March, in its first retreat in more than one year, according to a report issued Friday in the run-up to next week’s meeting of the policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee.PCE data gives a reading of the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index that excludes …
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