Fed Hike Aftermath Series

Fed rate hikes later this year still remain on the table

Feb 22, 2016 15:06 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

Data released last Friday showed that US overall CPI remained unchanged in Jan after slipping 0.1 percent in Dec. The CPI increased 1.4 percent in the 12 months through Jan, the biggest rise since Oct 2014, after gaining...

Currency War Series

Lower inflation expectations could trigger central bank actions

Feb 22, 2016 11:50 am UTC| Insights & Views Central Banks

Long-term inflation expectations in both the US and the euro area have trended lower for a long time and at 1.5% are clearly below inflation targets (2% for the US and below but close to 2% for the euro area). While Fed...

Negative Rates Series

Negative rates addiction, confusion and absurdities series: vaults in fashion

Feb 22, 2016 11:24 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

As central banks around the world embrace negative rates, fear among public is moving up regarding the issue. Last week, newspapers from Japan reported that people are looking to store or park money elsewhere. Some are...

Currency War Series

Will BOK intervene to curb KRW volatility?

Feb 19, 2016 16:03 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The South Korean Won fell 5.3% against the US dollar year-to-date, emerging as the worst performer among Asian currencies. Geopolitical tension triggered capital outflows from the economy. Global funds have pulled $2.8bn...

Negative Rates Series

Currency War Series

CHF value justifies further SNB action?

Feb 19, 2016 14:41 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

Despite the turmoil in the global equity markets, the Swiss Franc has remained on a weakening trend since the start of the year. The temporary strength seen in early February on volatility and Fed re-pricing is unlikely to...

Currency War Series

It is too late for Banxico to stop peso’s decline via rate hike

Feb 19, 2016 07:19 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The Bank of Mexico unexpectedly raised its overnight rate to 3.75% yesterday in a bid to support its weakening currency. The timing of the rate rise was a surprise to markets. The inflation situation and state of the...

ECB January meeting minutes indicate additional easing of policy in March

Feb 19, 2016 06:15 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The ECBs January policy meeting minutes indicate that the governing council will take measures to further loosen monetary policy in March. The council members, on back of the increased global market turmoil, broadly agreed...