Emerging Market Crisis Series

South Africa's SARB is a robust anchor but may face more acute challenges

Jan 07, 2016 09:33 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The biggest hurdle in front of SARB is lower forex reserve which is just over USD40bn only and ZAR weakness. The weakening of the National Treasury leaves the SARB to lower its interest rates. In general Central...

China Crisis Series

What is PBoC up to?

Jan 07, 2016 09:27 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

What is Peoples Bank of China (PBoC) trying to do and what is its fixing strategy? These question are puzzling analysts and global market participants the most. PBoC on Tuesday devalued Yuan by just 0.21%, when spot...

Currency War Series

BoJ unlikely to expand QE further in 2016

Jan 07, 2016 06:48 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The Japanese yens safe-haven appeal is in high demand in start of 2016 after Chinas central bank devalued its currency again, creating even more uncertainty among investors. The USD/JPY cross was trading 0.43% lower at...

Fed Hike Aftermath Series

FOMC minutes: Not all members are as confident as Yellen despite the unanimous hike

Jan 06, 2016 23:19 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The minutes of the 15-16 December FOMC meeting, where the Fed delivered its first hike since June 2006, were more dovish than the statement and Janet Yellens tone at the press conference. The minutes reveal that, although...

Fed Hike Aftermath Series

Stronger ADP strengthens case for further hikes from FED

Jan 06, 2016 13:30 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

Today ADP employment numbers were released from US for the month of December. ADP number shows US economy and its labour markets are quite robust, in spite of global economic slowdown. There are two things to note...

Fundamental Evaluation Series

Outperforming outlier Germany could pose long term challenge for ECB policy

Jan 06, 2016 11:02 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

Yesterdays better than employment report from Germany shows it remains an outperforming outlier in Euro Zone. German economy despite facing worst of migrant crisis managed to expand both its manufacturing and services...

Fed Hike Aftermath Series

Fed likely to begin gradual normalization

Jan 06, 2016 10:19 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The overarching investment theme heading into 2016 is the divergence of global monetary policies among major central banks. Ultra-low interest rates alongside substantial amounts of quantitative easing by the Fed, BoE,...