Central Bank Views
RBA Preview: RBA to Assess Economic Data and Prepare for Policy Tweak in July
The June RBA meeting will have little surprise, as the central bank has already planned to adjust yield curve control (YCC) and QE measures in July. This week, policymakers will discuss recent economic data and the economic impacts of the lockdown in Melbourne. All monetary policy measures will stay...
Kiwi Rallies as RBNZ Suggests that Rate Hike can Come in as Soon as Next Year
The RBNZ delivered a less dovish message in May than a month ago. While leaving all monetary policy measures unchanged, it upgraded the inflation forecast and revised lower the unemployment rate. The central bank also pushed forward the first rate hike to 3Q22. Kiwi rallied to highest since February...
RBNZ Preview: Upgrading Economic Assessments to Reflect Stronger-than-Expected Recovery
Economic data released since the last meeting have continued to improve. We expect the RBNZ to upgrade economic assessments at the upcoming meeting, acknowledging recent positive developments. Yet, policymakers would continue to attribute the spike in inflation to temporary factors. All monetary policy measures will remain intact.
The job market...
FOMC Minutes Revealed that Some Members Raised Discussion over QE Tapering
The minutes for the FOMC meeting in April revealed that policymakers discussed about QE tapering. This came in as a surprise to the market, sending USD higher and Treasury lower. Both the policy statement and the press conference of the April meeting downplayed the need of QE tapering. Recall...
RBA Minutes Reaffirmed Likelihood of QE Expansion in July
The RBA minutes for the May minutes reaffirmed our view that further expansion in the asset purchase program would be announced later this year. The most likely timing for the announcement would be July.
Domestically, the members noted that the economic was in the transition from recovery to expansion. The...
BOE Predicts Economy to Expand at Strongest Pace since WWII; Announces QE Tapering from this Month
At today's meeting, the BOE voted unanimously to leave the Bank rate unchanged at a record low of 0.1%. Meanwhile, the central bank voted 8-1 to keep the asset purchase program at 895B pound, of which 875B pound is government bonds. Policymakers also announced to slow the pace of...
BOE Preview: Economic Forecasts to be Upgraded, while QE Tapering to Begin in August
At the upcoming BOE meeting, we expect policymakers to vote unanimously to keep the Bank rate unchanged at 0.1%. They would also continue to buy up to 875B pound of UK government bonds and 20B pound of corporate debts. The focus would be on the updated economic projections and...
RBA Keeps Policy Intact but Signals Amendments in July
The RBA left all monetary policy measures unchanged in May and reiterated that a rate hike would "unlikely to be until 2024 at the earliest". However, the central bank upgraded economic projections and signaled that some amendments would be made on yield curve control (YCC) and QE in July.
Economic...
RBA Preview: Upgrading Economic Assessment while Pledging to Expand QE Purchases
While the RBA is likely to leave all monetary policy measures unchanged at this week’s meeting, the quarterly Statement on Monetary Policy (due May 7) would be closely watched. We expect policymakers to upgrade economic assessments moderately and pledge to monitor rising home prices.
Economic developments have generally improved since...
Fed Refrained from Giving Any Hint about QE Tapering
The Fed voted unanimously to leave the Fed funds rate target at 0-0.25%. It also decided to keep the asset purchases at US$120B per month. As expected, the Fed upgraded the economic assessments but continued to warn of downside risks. Fed Chair Jerome Powell at the press conference noted...
BOJ Downgrades Inflation Forecasts Significantly as It Struggles with Limited Tools
The BOJ left its monetary policy measures unchanged in April. However, it revised sharply lower the inflation forecasts for this fiscal year. The country’s economy has been far below the +2% inflation despite a decade’s unconventional easing measures.
On the economy, the central bank acknowledged that “Japan’s economy has picked...
FOMC Preview – Fed to Deliver Upbeat Message about Economy while Affirming Substantial Progress is Needed to Taper QE
We expect the Fed to turn more upbeat over the economic outlook at this week’s meeting. Yet, the economic improvement is not yet strong enough for any change in the monetary policy measures. As such, the Fed would leave the Fed funds rate target at 0-0.25%. On QE, the...
ECB Expects Growth to Resume in 2Q21. Yet, PEPP Tapering is Still Premature
As we have anticipated, the ECB left all monetary policy measures unchanged in April. Policymakers indicated the current pace (increased since March) of asset purchases in the PEPP would remain intact. Other monetary policy measures will stay unchanged with the Asset Purchase Program (APP) (traditional QE) at 20B euro/...
BOC Tapers QE Program and Delivers Upbeat Economic Outlook
As we have expected, the BOC delivered a hawkish tapering of QE purchases in April. the weekly asset purchases will reduce to CAD3B/week, from CAD4B/week previously. Meanwhile, it also upgraded the economic assessments for both the country and the world. Policymakers now expect the spare capacity to be fully...
ECB Preview – Looking for Hints on PEPP Destiny
We do not expect much news from the upcoming ECB meeting. European yields have stabilized since the central bank “accelerated significantly” the pace of PEPP purchases in mid-March. Inter-meeting economic data have been mixed. We believe policymakers would reinstate that downside risks to the economic outlook in the near-term,...
BOC Preview – Expects Upgrades on Economic Forecasts and More Optimistic Forward Guidance
We expect the BOC to trim its asset purchases to CAD3B/week, from CAD4B/week previously. The reduction is likely driven by lower issuance by the Treasury. It will, however, leave the overnight rate at the effective lower bound of 0.25%. We also expect the central bank to upgrade the economic...
Kiwi Shoots Higher as RBNZ Appears Less Concerned about its Rise
As expected, the RBNZ left all monetary policy measures unchanged at the April meeting. While acknowledging the dampening effects of the government’s housing policy, policymakers need more time to assess the impacts on the real economy. Meanwhile, the members appear more comfortable with the current level of New Zealand...
RBNZ to Leave Expansionary Policy Unchanged as Growth Momentum Eases
Economic developments have been mixed since the February RBNZ meeting. Inter-meeting data show deceleration in the growth momentum, while inflation expectations have soared. Government's measures to curb property prices would be another factors easing the growth outlook, while the Trans-Tasman travel bubble could offer help to pandemic-ridden sectors in...
ECB’s Minutes Revealed that Upside from US’ Fiscal Stimulus Not Yet Reflected in March Forecasts
ECB's minutes for the March meeting have lent support to EURUSD. The minutes revealed that policymakers saw upside risks to the economic outlook, thanks to US’ huge fiscal stimulus. Meanwhile, despite higher inflation in the near-term, it should remain subdued and below the central bank’s target. Policymakers also pledged...
Fed Upbeat on Recovery, while Pledged to Maintain Stimulus Until Substantial Progress is Seen On Economy
The FOMC minutes for the March meeting revealed that members turned more optimistic over the economic outlook. They were more hopeful of continuous improvement in light of the "significant declines in the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths over the intermeeting period as well as a pickup...