U.S. FOMC hikes federal funds target rate range by 25 bps

Mar 21, 2018 19:43 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The U.S. Federal Open Market Committee, today, hiked its federal funds target rate range by 25 basis points to 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 percent, as widely anticipated. The FOMC statement noted that the economic outlook has...

FxWirePro: Umpteen reasons for BCB to be hawkish, handful to be dovish though – RV options trades to hedge BRL

Mar 21, 2018 12:58 pm UTC| Research & Analysis Central Banks Insights & Views

The Brazilian central bank (BCB) holds monetary policy meeting tonight and would decide on its key rate. Well, thereve been a couple of factors that prompt for a further rate cut but also reasons for a pause. Moderate...

FxWirePro: What to watch in FOMC meet ahead?

Mar 21, 2018 10:03 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

We expect a great deal of debate among FOMC policymakers over the path of the hikes as well as whether to go three or more hikes this year or not. Since the last meeting in December, several policymakers like Loretta...

RBNZ not likely to change monetary policy at today's meeting

Mar 21, 2018 09:48 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

Today Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) will announce its monetary policy at 20:00 GMT. Over the past two years or so, RBNZ has reduced rates from 3.5 percent to 1.75 percent, which is an all-time low, however, the bank...

Fed Hike Aftermath Series: Should you worry about widening Libor-OIS spread?

Mar 21, 2018 08:54 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

Over the past few days and weeks, the financial markets have focused extra attention on widening USD Libor-OIS spread, which basically means higher funding cost. You are not familiar with the Libor or Overnight Index Swap...

FxWirePro: Mounting demand on NZD/USD OTM puts ahead of FOMC – Bid 1m/3m OTC tools to deploy PRBS on hedging grounds

Mar 21, 2018 06:03 am UTC| Research & Analysis Insights & Views Central Banks

The two main events this week though are the FOMC meetingon Wednesdayand the BoE meetingThursday. In regards to the former, the Fed is fully expected to raise rates by 25bps, but the focus will be on the message from the...

FxWirePro: The Day Ahead- 21st March 2018

Mar 21, 2018 05:46 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

Lots of economic data and events scheduled for today, and all with low to medium volatility risks associated. Data and events so far: New Zealand: Credit card spending up 7 percent y/y in...