Regime change in the global financial markets and the international economy is in play. Investor and policy expectations around globalization, growth and liquidity are all rapidly changing as central banks lift interest rates to put inflation back in the box. It is highly likely that the American ... READ MORE >
Japan intervenes in the currency market
With the yen in freefall, Japan on Thursday took the unusual step of intervening in currency markets to prop up the yen's value. For the first time in 24 years, the government began selling dollars to buy yen. The move came soon after the Bank of Japan held its policy rate at sub-zero levels, bucking ... READ MORE >
Fed raises its policy rate by 75 basis points and sees more increases
In the face of growing pressure from policymakers and investors to pause, pivot or even cut its policy rate, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday demonstrated why its independence is the sine qua non of monetary policy. The Fed raised its policy rate by three quarters of a percentage point, to a range of ... READ MORE >
Are we entering an era of central bank intervention in currency markets?
Over the past week, the Bank of Japan has conducted what Is known as a rate check, or a formal inquiry into the buying or selling price of the Japanese yen. This rate check has been done in preparation for a possible intervention into foreign exchange markets to prop up the declining ... READ MORE >
The dollar’s reign will continue amid a global flight to safety
The U.S. dollar is on a tear, increasing in value against its traditional trading partners as well as against the Chinese renminbi. A combination of factors is fueling the surge, including rising interest rate differentials, a global move to the safe haven of the dollar and an escalation of ... READ MORE >
U.S. August CPI: Core inflation arrives hot even as gas prices fall
Premature calls for the Federal Reserve to pause or pivot on its campaign to tame inflation should be politely dismissed given the 0.1% increase in top-line inflation in August. That gain translates into a 8.3% year-over-year increase in the headline number, according to government data released ... READ MORE >
European energy crisis: A quandary with no good policy options
Europe is facing a growing energy crisis as Russia cuts off natural gas supplies, leaving nations with no good policy choices to contain the fallout. The United Kingdom on Thursday announced a price cap that will freeze the average household’s energy bill at 2,500 pounds for two years. This scheme ... READ MORE >
Falling gas prices imply further inflation relief
Retail gasoline prices in the United States are poised to continue their recent decline as the summer driving season ends and households fall back into more traditional schedules. The average retail gasoline price has declined to $3.78 per gallon from a peak of $5.01 on June 13—a 21.2% drop—and ... READ MORE >
U.S. August jobs report: Another robust month as employment increases by 315,000
American labor market dynamics remain tilted toward sustained strength in hiring and rising wages. In August, U.S. total employment increased by 315,000 while the unemployment rate increased to 3.7% (3.65%). The labor force participation rate advanced to 62.4% on the back of 786,000 people ... READ MORE >
ISM manufacturing: Sentiment points to modest increase in growth
Manufacturing sentiment in August pointed toward a modest acceleration in growth inside the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing survey, even as the headline number stayed flat at 52.8 compared to July. This data, which was released on Thursday, will almost certainly bolster calls for a ... READ MORE >