Introduction: Yen’s Downward Spiral This week witnessed a continued decline in the value of the yen against key currencies such as the euro, pound sterling, and the US dollar. Investors, eager for better returns outside Japan’s near-zero interest rate environment, drove the yen to new lows, marking its fourth consecutive …
Read More »USD/CAD swings following US key data, Canadian retail sales
The USD/CAD exchange rate saw volatility on Thursday due to mixed US PMI data and Canada’s retail sales statistics. The pair moved towards the lower end of the range early on Thursday as investors prepared for the US Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data of the day. The pair is trading …
Read More »US S&P Global Manufacturing PMI for February improves
The US S&P Global Composite PMI fell from 52 in January to 51.4 in February’s flash estimate, indicating that the private sector’s business activity in the US is still growing, but more slowly than it was in January.During the same time period, the S&P Global Manufacturing PMI increased to 51.5 …
Read More »Fed’s Jefferson: Cautiously optimistic about inflation progress
Phillip Jefferson, the Fed Vice Chair of the Board of Governors, delivered a speech on Thursday in Washington, DC, at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.Key QuotesContinuing strength in spending is an upside risk to forecasts.Fed needs to remain vigilant, nimble.Fed shouldn’t be taken by surprise by any unexpected shocks.Fed’s …
Read More »The Turkish Central Bank keeps interest rates unchanged
Key Points: Turkey’s central bank keeps key interest rate steady at 45 percent.Decision aligns with market expectations post-last month’s rate hike.Central bank prepared to tighten monetary policy if significant and sustained deterioration in inflation expectations emerges.Appointment of Fateh Kara Khan as governor followed the resignation of Hafiza Ghaya Arkan.Monetary tightening …
Read More »European Stocks Surge to New Record High
European stocks soared to a new record high on Thursday, buoyed by a robust performance in global equities, notably with Japan’s Nikkei index reaching unprecedented levels. The European STOXX 600 index surged to 495.77 points, surpassing its previous peak of 495.46 points set in January 2022. This surge was fueled …
Read More »Japanese Stocks Hit Record High Amidst Foreign Investment Surge
Japanese stocks surged to a new record high on Thursday, surpassing levels last seen in 1989, as falling valuations and corporate reforms lured foreign investors seeking alternatives to turbulent Chinese markets. The Nikkei index soared by 2.19 percent to close at 39,098.68 points, reaching an intraday peak of 39,156.97 points—exceeding …
Read More »Market Drivers – US Session, February 21
In the face of shifting risk appetite patterns and the FOMC Minutes’ lack of surprises, the dollar somewhat weakened on Wednesday. Meanwhile, speculation about when the Fed could cut interest rates for the first time continued to drive general market mood. In the context of continued increases in riskier assets, …
Read More »FOMC: No rate cuts unless inflation further moderates
The minutes from the most recent meeting of the Federal Reserve indicate that before hiking interest rates, officials will need to see more proof that inflation is heading downward. Though they aren’t prepared to drop rates just yet, policymakers don’t see rates rising during this economic cycle.Several members of the …
Read More »US dollar suffers mild loss following FOMC minutes
In the North American session on Wednesday, initially the DXY Index fell below 104.00 following the publication of the minutes from the FOMC meeting in January. At the time of writing the Index records 104.040, it is back above the 104.00 mark but with mild loss.Several FOMC members think interest …
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