National Australia Bank – 30 years of strategy failure
Feb 23, 2016 00:57 am UTC| Insights & Views Central Banks
In its first quarter results this month, the National Australia Bank (NAB), breathed a sigh of relief announcing that the separation of Clydesdale had been successful with an expected loss of approximately A$4.2 billion....
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
Johannesburg in a time of darkness: Ivan Vladislavić’s new memoir reminds us of the city’s fragility
Why Germany ditched nuclear before coal – and why it won’t go back
Labour can afford to be far more ambitious with its economic policies – voters are on board
Sudan: civil war stretches into a second year with no end in sight