Trade War Series

China Crisis Series

Change in PBoC’s net foreign assets better gauge of FX intervention

Jan 22, 2016 05:16 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The extent of FX intervention can be gauged by measures apart from Official Foreign Reserves (OFR) data, such as the change in PBoCs foreign assets and the change in financial institutions forex purchase position....

Emerging Market Crisis Series

SARB likely to hike rate lower than market forecast

Jan 22, 2016 04:47 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The ZAR is expected to be weak in the near future, although lesser than what was witnessed in 2015. If South Africas local government elections are not disrupted and if the February budget is well received, the country...

Japan's factory index falls, focus shifts to BOJ meet

Jan 22, 2016 04:05 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

Preliminary factory index reading reveals Japans manufacturing sector remained in a solid expansionary state in January though declined slightly from December. The Nikkei-Markit Flash Japan Manufacturing Purchasing...

Currency War Series

ECB signals more stimulus is in the pipeline

Jan 22, 2016 02:58 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

ECB struck a dovish tone yesterday, lifting European and US markets. In light of heightened growth and inflation risks, ECB President Draghi signalled that more stimulus was in the offing and could be undertaken as early...

Bank Negara Malaysia is reducing the statutory reserve requirement ratio from 4.00% to 3.50%

Jan 22, 2016 02:21 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is reducing the statutory reserve requirement (SRR) ratio from 4.00% to 3.50%. This is also the first time since July 2011 that BNM had adjusted the SRR and this move will come into effect on 1...

Fed Hike Aftermath Series

US Fed continues trying to achieve 2% inflation in 2016

Jan 21, 2016 23:31 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

U.S. consumer prices unexpectedly fell in December 2015 as the cost of energy products and food declined, offering signs of weak inflation that further diminish expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike in...

Emerging Market Crisis Series

Currency War Series

Brazil decision to keep rates on hold raises questions of independence

Jan 21, 2016 18:01 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) surprisingly left rates unchanged at 14.25% at yesterdays monetary policy meeting. The expectation had been for a rate hike of 50bp. The decision raises questions regarding the central banks...