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...

China Crisis Series

PBoC's massive cash injection signaling reduced RRR cuts?

Jan 21, 2016 15:03 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

In todays money market activity, the PBOC injected 290 bn yuan through 28 day reverse repos and 110 bn yuan through 7-day reverse repos, the largest seen in 3 years. Could we consider this as a signal that the central bank...

BOJ's Monetary Policy - Negative Interest Rates or QE Expansion?

Jan 21, 2016 14:35 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The BOJ has kept monetary policy steady since expanding its massive stimulus programme in October 2014. But concerns about inflation moving further away from its 2 percent target on account of falling oil prices is raising...