BOJ Holds Interest Rates Steady, Upgrades Growth and Inflation Outlook for Japan 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Indonesia Stocks Face Fragile Sentiment After MSCI Warning and Market Rout 
Bank of England Expected to Hold Interest Rates at 3.75% as Inflation Remains Elevated 
MAS Holds Monetary Policy Steady as Strong Growth Raises Inflation Risks 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Asia Stocks Pause as Tech Earnings, Fed Signals, and Dollar Weakness Drive Markets 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
China Holds Loan Prime Rates Steady in January as Market Expectations Align 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Retreats After Fed Decision 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) slashed its key repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.50% on Friday, delivering a larger-than-expected cut in a continued effort to stimulate economic growth. This marks the third straight rate cut in 2025, totaling a 100 basis point reduction since February—the first easing cycle since May 2020.
The RBI also reduced the cash reserve ratio (CRR) by 100 basis points to 3%, injecting additional liquidity into the banking system. The decision comes as retail inflation eases sharply, dropping to a six-year low of 3.16% in April—well below the central bank’s medium-term target of 4%. The RBI now forecasts average inflation at 3.7% for the current fiscal year, down from its earlier estimate of 4%.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra emphasized that the drop in inflation created room to "front load" rate cuts and continue policy easing. The monetary policy stance has shifted from “accommodative” to “neutral,” signaling a more balanced approach moving forward.
Market reaction was mixed. India’s 10-year bond yield dipped to 6.18%, while the rupee remained steady at 85.82. Equity markets, initially buoyed by the rate cut, reversed gains and edged down by about 0.1%.
Despite a strong 7.4% GDP growth in the January–March quarter, the RBI maintained its annual growth forecast at 6.5%, underscoring the need for policy support to sustain momentum. India’s economy, though resilient, is targeting even higher growth.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), comprising three RBI officials and three external members, unanimously agreed to the latest rate decision, reflecting a shared commitment to growth amid a favorable inflation backdrop.
