EUR/USD
1.17068
-0.058%
Gold
4698.47
0.208%
Oil
97.940
0.997%
USD/JPY
157.937
0.038%
GBP/USD
1.35086
-0.106%
GBP/JPY
213.356
-0.066%
Real-time News
On May 14th, ING analyst James Smith stated in a report that the UKs strong first-quarter economic growth data is unlikely to change the Bank of Englands policy expectations. He said, "We expect the Bank of England to raise interest rates in a one-off move in June." He noted that since 2022, UK economic growth has tended to be stronger at the beginning of the year, meaning that UK economic growth may slow in the coming quarters. However, robust retail spending and a strong contribution from the IT sector may indicate positive developments in artificial intelligence. Smith predicts that the UKs second-quarter economic growth rate may be around 0.2%-0.3%, but with declining real income and rising inflation, the third-quarter growth rate may turn negative.On May 14th, Barclays economists pointed out that the stance of members of the Bank of Japans (BOJ) Policy Board is showing signs of a hawkish shift; Yoichi Masaki, a member of the Board of Directors considered a centrist, expressed clearer support for an earlier rate hike in his speech on Thursday. At the BOJs policy meeting in April, three other members proposed raising the interest rate to 1.0%, although the proposal ultimately failed to pass due to a majority vote against it. "Given that the BOJ seems firmly committed to an earlier rate hike, we maintain our previous forecast of a June rate hike," the economists said. They added that the key now is whether Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will tolerate the BOJ implementing a rate hike.According to Interfax news agency, Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, stated that Russia is establishing comprehensive cooperative relations with the Taliban in the economic and trade fields.On May 14th, Turkish Central Bank Governor Callahan stated that the duration of regional tensions is crucial to the inflation outlook, and that the continued rise in oil prices is leading to increased transportation costs. Speaking at the release of the central banks quarterly inflation report in Istanbul, Callahan noted that Turkeys fuel pricing mechanism has, to some extent, mitigated the impact of rising energy prices. He added that food inflation has had some impact on overall inflation in recent months, but he expects the decline in vegetable prices in May to have a positive effect on the inflation situation.On May 14th, Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Defense Yohei Wakabayashi stated at the Cabinet Committee of the House of Councillors that a low-orbit military reconnaissance network, a "satellite constellation" composed of numerous small satellites, was activated in April of this year to ensure the effectiveness of long-range missiles as a means of "counterattack capability." Analysts point out that the completion of Japans version of "Starlink" will enable Japan to achieve a breakthrough in space-based warfare capabilities. By constructing a satellite network with a "space-based strike chain," the boundaries of Japans "exclusively defensive defense" principle are further blurred, accelerating the pace of Japans military deregulation. However, Japans accelerated development of space-based warfare capabilities may trigger a new round of arms race centered on space and missile technologies, posing a serious challenge to regional and even global strategic stability, and requiring high vigilance from the international community.
