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On April 27th, Barclays analysts stated in a report that with inflation remaining high, the Federal Reserve is expected to keep the target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at its meeting this week, but a rate cut is still possible this year. The analysts said, "In a highly uncertain environment, the Fed tends to remain on hold. Strong demand and still relatively high inflation support its patience, and policymakers have also signaled a diminishing confidence in further rate cuts in the near term." The analysts indicated that if inflation falls as expected, the Fed is expected to gain sufficient confidence to begin easing policy around September. "We still expect it to cut rates this year." According to LSEG data, the money market currently prices in a 10 basis point rate cut by the Fed in 2026.The Philippine Department of Energy announced that the United States has approved an extension of the exemption period for the Philippines to purchase Russian oil and petroleum products.Toyota Motor Corp. reported a sales decline in March as demand for its best-selling RAV4 model weakened ahead of a facelift, while the conflict in Iran threatened to cut off key supplies, forcing the manufacturer to potentially reduce production. The company said Monday that global sales (including those of its subsidiaries Daihatsu and Hino) fell 5.8% year-on-year to 983,126 vehicles in March, while global production rose 3.9% to 1.02 million vehicles. These figures suggest that the worlds largest automaker is managing to stay afloat despite rising prices for raw materials such as aluminum and the base cost of auto parts due to the turmoil in the Middle East. Suppliers are preparing for shortages that could last for months, even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens and shipping returns to normal. Refineries need time to resume operations, and shipping companies need to digest the congestion caused by hundreds of ships stranded in the Persian Gulf. Major supplier Denso Corp. said in March that the ongoing conflict had reduced Japans monthly auto production by approximately 20,000 vehicles.Japans leading economic indicators for February came in at 1.3% month-on-month, compared with 0.3% previously.Japans leading indicator final reading for February was 113.3, compared to 112.4 in the previous month.

GBP/USD seeks to regain 1.2300 as higher UK CPI strengthens the case for a rate hike by the Bank of England and the USD retreats

Alina Haynes

Mar 23, 2023 15:00

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During the Asian session, the GBP/USD pair attempts to reclaim the resistance level at 1.2300. Following a vertical correction, the Cable has recovered to near 1.2260 as the market anticipates that the absence of hawkish interest rate guidance from Federal Reserve (Fed) chair Jerome Powell while addressing the economy at the monetary policy meeting indicates that the Fed is close to ending its policy-tightening spell.

 

S&P500 futures have generated some gains in the Asian session following a decline on Wednesday as a result of Fed Powell's confirmation that the fight against intractable U.S. inflation will continue. Chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell has ruled out rate cuts in 2023, citing the difficulty of controlling inflation. In addition, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's statement that the government "does not plan to insure all uninsured bank deposits" heightened fears of a banking sector collapse.

 

Following a recovery move, the US Dollar Index (DXY) has retreated on expectations that additional credit tightening to protect banking institutions will reduce overall demand, economic activity, and inflation. In the interim, the demand for US government bonds has increased as a result of expectations that US Janet Yellen will end further policy restrictions and reduce support for all bank deposits.

 

On the front of the United Kingdom, the Pound Sterling is likely to maintain its strength as the Bank of England (BoE) is scheduled to raise rates for the eleventh consecutive time. Governor Andrew Bailey of the Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates by 25 basis points (bp) in response to rising food and non-alcoholic beverage prices, as well as rising energy costs, which have contributed to inflation in the United Kingdom.

 

In the midst of global banking turmoil, the Bank of England's (BoE) interest rate decision will be difficult, as policymakers were divided over whether to raise rates further or maintain them at their present level.