Huawei’s AI Chip Struggles: 7nm Tech Falls Generations Behind NVIDIA Due to US Sanctions, TSMC Blockade 
Biden Rushes Loan Forgiveness for Ukraine Before Potential Policy Shift 
Oil Prices Soar to 2-Week High as Russia Fires Hypersonic Missiles, Escalating Ukraine Conflict 
Nvidia's AI Production Bottlenecks Spark Debate as Demand Skyrockets Beyond Supply Limits 
We rated the urban forests of 8 global cities – only Singapore passed the 30% canopy test 
S&P 500 Climbs on Cyclical Stocks as Nvidia and Alphabet Diverge Amid Fed Speculation 
Global Currency Shuffle: Euro Dips, Yen Recovers, and Markets Await Key Economic Signals 
Ghana’s economic diplomacy: how three presidents with different ideologies dealt with the IMF and World Bank 
Why Ghanaian farmers have been unable to capitalise on record cocoa prices 
Trump Pressed to Protect EV Tax Credits Amid China’s Subsidized Electric Car Push and Regulatory Battles 
Microsoft Still the Most Under-Owned Mega Cap Tech Stock While Meta Tops Over-Owned List, Analysts Claim 'Big Money Is Missing Out' 
China’s Pony AI Pursues $4.55 Billion Valuation in Ambitious US IPO to Lead Robotaxi Surge 
Housing Market Faces Harsh Reality: Mortgage Rates Hammer Single-Family Homebuilding While Multi-Family Starts Climb 
Bank of Japan’s Upcoming Rate Decision: Insights and Key Takeaways
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is concluding a two-day policy meeting this Thursday. This review follows a recent election loss for Japan’s ruling coalition, intensifying political uncertainties that could affect BOJ’s monetary policy decisions.
Is a Rate Hike on the Horizon?
Earlier in 2024, the BOJ ended negative interest rates and raised its short-term policy target to 0.25%. While inflation currently sits at 2%, the central bank remains cautious about further rate increases. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda has emphasized the need to monitor global economic risks, including the U.S. market, before any additional hikes. As a result, experts predict a steady rate outcome in October, with BOJ preferring policy stability until Japan’s political direction becomes clearer.
Key Signals for Market Observers
The BOJ's quarterly report will detail its latest economic and inflation projections, providing potential clues for future rate actions. Analysts believe inflation will likely hover around the 2% target until at least March 2027, meeting the conditions for potential hikes but not guaranteeing them. Additionally, Ueda's post-meeting briefing on Thursday may offer guidance on the BOJ's stance, especially concerning Japan’s currency depreciation, which affects import costs and inflation.
Next Steps in Rate Hikes
The BOJ’s next meetings are scheduled for December and January. While most economists anticipate a rate hike by March, factors like wage growth, global demand, and Japan’s political climate could influence the timing.
