Forex News
RBA Board Meeting – February 2014
In a nutshell, today’s RBA accompanying statement to the rates decision reveals that since the last Board meeting inDecember, both the global and local growth outlooks have improved and local inflation risks have moved higher.
Financial Markets Wrap – January: Jim-Jams
In a battle between domestic strength and emerging-market induced risk aversion, the latter gained the upper hand
RBA Keeps Rate Unchanged But Signals Shift To Neutral Stance
The Reserve Bank of Australia left its cash rate unchanged on Tuesday as widely expected and shifted its bias to a more neutral stance by saying monetary policy is appropriately configured and
Bernanke To Join Washington DC Think Tank
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will join the Brookings Institution, a politically centrist policy think tank based in Washington, beginning on Monday.
US: ISM index much weaker than expected
Colder-than-normal weather in the US probably helped slow manufacturing activity last month, but there might be more to the weakness than just bad weather. Stay tuned!
Sweden: PMI bounced back to 56 in January
The January manufacturing PMI rose to 56.4 in January from 52.2 in December. This was better than expected. Forecasts stood at 54.
Pressure Must Be Building on ECB Again
Another interest rate cut in Europe could be just around the corner as the risk of deflation rears its ugly head again.
Activity in the housing sector remains robust
The moderation in building approvals over December was a little larger than market expectations centred on a fall of 0.5%(CBA (f): 0.0%). Approvals have been tracking at around record levels for the past three months.
Looking Ahead in Asia
Political strife in Thailand, economic data out of Indonesia and a central bank meeting in Australia should take the spotlight in Asia this week.
Euro area: Inflation back to October-lows
Inflation eased in January, matching the low-point of October last year. Thus, the heat is on the ECB to deliver more easing.
Norway: Stronger labour market, but weaker consumption
• Registered unemployment somewhat stronger, but.. • ..weak retail sales • In sum neutral
Japan Should Start Aiming Higher
Better-than-expected inflation data out of Japan has put the central bank’s 2 percent inflation target well within sight, some analysts told CNBC.