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☆ Dollar eases as risk appetite improves on China's measures
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Joice Alves | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] U.S. Dollar and Euro banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. The China-sensitive euro was up 0.25% at $1.0799, just off a 10-week low touched last week against the dollar. The Australian dollar and the New Zealand dollar also got a lift from those measures. "The U.S. dollar is softening against most other G10 currencies today as risk appetite improves on the back of China support measures," said Jane Foley, head of FX strategy at Rabobank. The Canadian dollar slipped 0.07% to 1.359 per dollar ahead of the Bank of Canada's policy meeting this week, with the central bank expected to hold rates.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Jane Foley, Christine Lagarde, Isabel Schnabel, Foley, Jeremy Hunt, Sterling, Joice Alves, Ankur Banerjee, Sharon Singleton, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Australian, New Zealand, Rabobank, European Central Bank, ECB, FOCUS, Reserve Bank of Australia, Canadian, Bank of, Thomson Locations: China, Beijing, FOCUS British, U.S, London, Singapore

☆ Shares, commodities rise as sentiment towards China brightens
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Amanda Cooper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) added 1.1%, having climbed 2.3% last week, thanks in large part to a 1.3% rise in Chinese blue chips (.CSI300). S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures rose between 0.2%-0.3%, while European stocks neared one-month highs. At least seven Fed officials are due to speak this week ahead of the next policy meeting on Sept. 19-20. In commodities, gold benefited from the diminished risk of a U.S. rate rise to stand at $1,940 an ounce . Brent crude futures rose 0.2% to $88.75 a barrel, as did U.S. futures , reaching $85.73.

Persons: Ron Temple, Jim Reid, Christine Lagarde, Wayne Cole, Shri Navaratnam, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Simon Cameron, Moore, Sonia Cheema Organizations: Federal Reserve, Country Garden, Lazard, Holdings, Nasdaq, drugmaker Novo Nordisk, August's U.S, Deutsche Bank, European Central Bank, Brent, Thomson Locations: China, United States, Beijing, Asia, Pacific, Japan, drugmaker Novo, Canada, Australia, U.S, Saudi Arabia

"Whether this bounce will continue remains to be seen, but it has given China equities a shot in the arm." S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures both edged up 0.1%, while stocks in Europe opened on a strong footing. "The soft landing crowd will be pleased that the labour market is softening without much stress at the moment," Deutsche Bank strategist Jim Reid. Any path to a hard landing, outside of a shock, has to go via signs of a soft landing first," he said. Brent crude futures were steady on the day at $88.50 a barrel, while U.S. futures were also flat at $85.55.

Persons: Jim Reid, Christine Lagarde, Wayne Cole, Shri Navaratnam, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Federal Reserve, Country Garden, RBC Capital Markets, Holdings, Nasdaq, drugmaker Novo Nordisk, August's U.S, Deutsche Bank, European Central Bank, Brent, Thomson Locations: U.S, China, SYDNEY, United States, Beijing, Shanghai, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Europe, drugmaker Novo, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia

☆ Asia shares extend rally as China mood turns less bleak
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

An electronic board shows Shanghai and Shenzhen stock indexes, at the Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai, China October 25, 2022. There was relief that embattled property developer Country Garden won approval from its creditors to extend payments for an onshore private bond. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) added 1.0%, having climbed 2.3% last week. EUROSTOXX 50 futures added 0.3% and FTSE futures rose 0.4%. Central banks in Canada and Australia hold their own meetings this week and both are expected to hold rates steady.

Persons: Aly, Stocks, Goldman Sachs, Treasuries, Christine Lagarde, Brent firmed, Wayne Cole, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Federal, Country Garden, Japan's Nikkei, Nasdaq, Holdings, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, Shenzhen, China, U.S, SYDNEY, Beijing, United States, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia

☆ Morning Bid: Asia mood lifts as China's small steps add up
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, August 24, 2023. There was also much relief at Country Garden's deal with creditors for an extension on onshore debt payments worth 3.9 billion yuan ($537 million). As a result, Chinese blue chips are up another 1.2% on top of last week's 2.2% rally. Companies are holding an astonishing 555 trillion yen ($3.80 trillion) of earnings in reserve, which is more than the entire 447 trillion market capitalisation of the Topix. The market also foresees 107 basis points of easing next year, up from around 90 basis points early last week.

Persons: Wayne Cole, Treasuries, Cash, Christine Lagarde, Frank Elderson, Philip Lane, Fabio Panetta, Edmund Klamann Organizations: REUTERS, Staff, Nasdaq, Fed, Washington Post, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Wayne, China

☆ Belgium raises record 22 billion euros from savers in 'clear signal' for higher bank rates
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Yoruk Bahceli | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

It marks the biggest funding drive from households in Belgium's history and is likely Europe's biggest retail bond sale, the country's debt agency said on Monday. Equivalent to around 5% of Belgian deposits, it eclipses the 5.7 billion euros raised from savers at the height of the euro zone debt crisis in 2011 and beats the 18 billion euros Italy raised from savers earlier this year. European lenders awash with cash have resisted raising savings rates while market interest rates have surged as central banks fight inflation, prompting withdrawals by households looking for better returns. While demand for the bond is high, the country's biggest lenders are yet to raise rates paid on savings accounts. "This will be different for every bank, but the financial stability of every bank needs to be monitored closely."

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Bonds, Vincent Van Peteghem, Jean Deboutte, Isabelle Marchand, Van Peteghem, Marchand, Febelfin, Yoruk Bahceli, Bart Meijer, Sudip Kar, Dhara Ranasinghe, Ed Osmond Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Europe, Belgium, BRUSSELS, Italy, Portugal, Belgian

☆ Japan finance minister offers no clues on intervention as yen weakens
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Banknotes of Japanese yen are seen in this illustration picture taken June 15, 2022. Some market players were surprised by the lack of determination to keep the yen from falling beyond 145 yen to the dollar. Traders are watching for any signs of intervention by Japanese officials to shore up the ailing currency. However, Japanese officials have rarely escalated verbal warnings since last month against speculators trying to sell off the yen. The weak yen has driven up import bills for fuel and foods, depriving households of purchasing power and prompting Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to scramble for measures to subsidise gasoline retail prices and to mitigate rises in utility bills.

Persons: Florence Lo, Shunichi Suzuki, Suzuki, Japan's, Daisaku Ueno, Fumio Kishida, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Tom Hogue, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Japanese Finance, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities, Authorities, U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: Japan

☆ Dollar set for weekly loss as crucial US jobs data looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar was on course to snap a six-week winning streak against major peers on Friday, as it headed into a pivotal monthly U.S. jobs report that is likely to inform the path for Federal Reserve policy over coming months. Elsewhere, the Chinese yuan strengthened after the nation's central bank cut forex reserve requirements for the first time in a year. It slipped 0.08% to 145.405 yen on Friday, putting its loss for the week at 0.7%. The single currency was little changed at $1.08455 following a 0.74% tumble on Thursday that pared its weekly advance to 0.49%. "Pill's comments appear consistent with another quarter-point turn of the screw on 21 September, but not necessarily thereafter," Attrill said.

Persons: pare, Ray Attrill, Huw Pill, Attrill, bitcoin, Bitcoin Organizations: Federal Reserve, U.S, National Australia Bank, ECB, Bank of England, People's Bank of, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC Locations: Asia, People's Bank of China

☆ Global growth is set to slow — but there are 'pockets of resilience,' Moody's says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

An aerial view shows the Central Bank of India building, in Mumbai, India, 28 September, 2022. (Photo by Niharika Kulkarni/NurPhoto via Getty Images)The global economy is set to slow down as inflation remains stickier than expected — but there may be some "pockets of resilience," according to Moody's Investors Service. Diron said the slowdown can be attributed to three factors: higher interest rates that persist, China's slowing growth, as well as financial system stresses. While central banks have managed to steer the global economy and "create a disinflationary trend" by raising interest rates, inflation risks are still a sticking point, she said. "There are still risks out there that inflation could prove stickier ... than currently expected, and that would lead to higher risks for longer and slower growth," explained the managing director.

Persons: Niharika Kulkarni, We're, Marie Diron, Diron Organizations: Central Bank of India, Getty, Moody's Investors Service, CNBC Locations: Mumbai, India, Asia

Specifically, she outlined puzzlement at why the inflation-adjusted risk-free rates priced by markets - real Overnight Index Swap yields from one to 10 years - had subsided again since the last ECB rate hike in July - back to where they were in February when ECB policy rates were just 2.5%. Long-term real yields from benchmark German government bond markets are positive again this year for the first time in almost a decade. But they have fallen almost 20bp from just before the last ECB rate hike to just above 0.1% now. Minutes released today from the last ECB meeting suggest the council is still undecided about its next step this month, but many market analysts see the tension building. ECB chart from Isabel Schnabel speech on rising market inflation premiaReuters GraphicsReuters GraphicsThe opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.

Persons: Isabel Schnabel, It's, Carsten Brzeski, Josie Kao Organizations: Central Bank, disinflation, ECB, Reuters Graphics Reuters, ING, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, U.S

☆ Pernod Ricard shares face a lengthy dry spell
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A glass of cognac is pictured on a bar in the Manhattan borough of New York City, November 13, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Segar Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Aug 31 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Pernod Ricard (PERP.PA) shareholders have few reasons to cheer. The owner of Mumm champagne and Absolut Vodka said that China’s property crunch was making wholesalers cautious and keeping punters out of nightclubs. China has been a key source of growth for drink-makers: helped by Asia, Pernod Ricard’s sales outside of Europe and the Americas grew 17% in 2023. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Mike Segar, Pernod Ricard, Mumm, Remy Cointreau, Aimee Donnellan, Mukesh Ambani’s, Neil Unmack, Oliver Taslic Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Investors, Pernod, Diageo, X, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, New York City, U.S, China, Asia, Europe, Americas

☆ Wall Street gains, dollar softens as weak data signals Fed pause
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Stephen Culp | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Weak economic data could be good news for interest rates, as it could give the Federal Reserve a rationale for letting key interest rates stand at next month's monetary policy meeting. GDPFinancial markets have currently priced in a 88.5% likelihood of a September Fed pause, according to CME's FedWatch tool. Emerging market stocks rose 0.11%. The greenback extended its losses, touching a two-week low against a basket of world currencies in the wake of disappointing economic data. Crude prices edged higher as industry data showed tighter-than-expected supply as investors digested Hurricane Idalia's potential effect on demand.

Persons: Jason Reed, Dow, Oliver Pursche, Thomas Martin, Martin, Sterling, Brent, Stephen Culp, Sharon Singleton, Nick Zieminski, Josie Kao Organizations: U.S . Federal, REUTERS, Federal Reserve, Nasdaq, Federal, Wealthspire Advisors, Dow Jones, Japan's Nikkei, Treasury, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Washington, New York, Atlanta, Asia, Pacific, Japan, U.S

Passersby are reflected on an electric stock quotation board outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan April 18, 2023. "They almost certainly have to hike again this year because today's inflation data shows there's still more work to do." INFLATION WATCHGovernment bond yields in the euro zone rose broadly after inflation data suggested the ECB may still have to hike rates again. Germany's two-year bond yields rose 7 bps to 3.09% . Spanish inflation rose 2.6% in August, as economists polled by Reuters had expected.

Persons: Issei Kato, Patrick Armstrong, there's, SEB, Elisabet Kopelman, Jerome Powell's, Naomi Rovnick, Shashwat Chauhan, Mark Potter, Chizu Organizations: REUTERS, European Central Bank, ECB, Nasdaq, Wall, SEB Group, Fed, Reuters, Bank's, U.S, Treasury, Brent, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Spain, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany's, United States, Gulf, Mexico, Bengaluru

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON/TOKYO, Aug 30 (Reuters) - The euro eased against the dollar on Wednesday as investors looked to more labour market data in the U.S. and inflation data in the euro zone to provide clues on the path for central banks policies. "One key input to arrive at a final assessment is the inflation data this week," he added. The euro eased 0.2% to $1.0856. The dollar index - which measures the currency against six major peers including the yen and euro - edged 0.1% higher at 103.67. INTERVENTION TERRITORYThe dollar rose 0.38% to 146.43 yen .

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Benjamin Schroeder, pare, Matt Simpson, Jerome Powell, Naoki Tamura, bitcoin, cryptocurrency, Joice Alves, Kevin Buckland, Tom Westbrook, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Money, ECB, ING, Index, Fed, Bank of Japan, Reserve Bank of Australia, People's Bank of, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, U.S, Spain, Germany, Westphalia, NRW, People's Bank of China, London, Tokyo

REUTERS/Robert Galbraith/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsORLANDO, Florida, Aug 30 (Reuters) - To buy back, or not to buy back. The highest U.S. interest rates in over 20 years coupled with Wall Street's remarkable resilience has brought an old boardroom dilemma into sharp focus: are share buybacks worth it? Ditto Apple, Chevron, Alphabet and Wells Fargo, which this year have announced buybacks of $90 billion, $75 billion, $70 billion and $30 billion, respectively. Figures from Refinitiv show that S&P 500 companies spent more than $6 trillion on stock buybacks in the decade through 2022. Reuters Image Acquire Licensing Rights(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.)

Persons: Robert Galbraith, Joe Kleven, Ali Ragih, Nicholas Guest, Kothari, Parth Venkat, Jamie McGeever Organizations: Nvidia, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Chevron, Mega Tech, Marathon Petroleum, VerityData, Reuters, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Corporate, Cornell University, S.P, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Alabama, Thomson, & ' $ Locations: Santa Clara , California, Rights ORLANDO , Florida, Wells, YCharts, VerityData, U.S, underperformed

Aug 31 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. India's second quarter GDP, Japanese retail sales and industrial production, Hong Kong retail sales, Australian credit and South Korean industrial production are on tap too, potentially moving these countries' markets, especially their currencies. Markets across the region should open on a positive note on Thursday after another 'risk on' day Wednesday. With a lower dollar and softer U.S. Treasury yields helping to ease financial conditions, world stocks rose for a fourth day. But it has been a tough month for Asia, in large part due to the financial and economic troubles afflicting China.

Persons: Jamie McGeever, Downwardly, China PMIs, Josie Kao Organizations: Investors, Treasury, China's, PMI, outflows, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Hong Kong, Asia, China, Japan, Beijing, India

REUTERS/Loren Elliott Acquire Licensing RightsAug 30 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. Australian inflation, Japanese consumer confidence and German inflation figures later in the day are the main data points on Wednesday's economic calendar that could move Asian markets, which have started the week on a roll. A series of measures from China aimed at boosting domestic stock markets have had an immediate effect - China's benchmark index of blue chip stocks on Tuesday posted back-to-back gains of 1% or more for the first time since January. Money markets quickly swiped off the table expectations of another rate hike this year, short-dated yields plunged and stocks boomed. Put all that together and there is every reason to believe Asian markets will open in the green on Wednesday.

Persons: Loren Elliott, Jamie McGeever, Cryptocurrencies, Gina Raimondo, Michele Bullock, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Money, Nasdaq, Securities and Exchange, Stock Connect, U.S . Commerce, Bank of China, Incoming, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Sydney, Australia, China, U.S, Japan, Germany

☆ Dollar drops on jobs data, yen rises from 10-month low
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Karen Brettell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Japanese yen also gained, after earlier falling to a 10-month low. The dollar briefly reached an almost 10-month high against the Japanese yen earlier on Tuesday, before dropping on the jobs data. The Bank of Japan remains an outlier among global central banks with its loose monetary policy, even as it slowly shifts away from yield curve control. “It is moving away from excessively loose monetary policy, but it’s doing so at a very slow and measured pace,” Rai said. Japan intervened in currency markets last September when the dollar rose past 145 yen, prompting the Ministry of Finance to buy the yen and push the pair back to around 140 yen.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Jerome Powell, Bipan Rai, ” Rai, “ It’s, Charu, Kazuo Ueda, Lee Hardman, Karen Brettell, Alun John, Sharon Singleton, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Action Economics, Federal Reserve, CIBC Capital Markets, Bank of Japan, Ministry of Finance, Saxo, Jackson, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: North American, Toronto, U.S, Japan, London

☆ Hurricanes could drive gas prices, and inflation, higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

That’s potentially bad news for gas prices. What’s happening: Gas prices are already at $3.82 a gallon. Geopolitical tensions have been supporting high oil and gas prices for some time. In 2005, for example, gas prices surged by 46% between Memorial Day and Labor Day because of the landfall of Hurricane Katrina, according to Bespoke. “Energy prices have been a major contributor to persistently high inflation in the US, so the crude oil price will remain a watch-out factor for future inflation.”High oil and gas prices are one of the largest contributing factors to inflation.

Persons: “ Idalia, ”, Louis Navellier, Andrew Woods, OpenAI, Catherine Thorbecke, Estee Lauder, CNN’s Gregory Wallace Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Labor, Nasdaq Advisory Services Energy Team, Navellier, Investment, Citigroup, Day, Federal Reserve, “, Exxon Mobil, BP, Chevron, Fortune, CNN, The New York Times, Reuters, Disney, Bloomberg, The Washington Post, ABC News, ESPN, American Airlines, Airlines, Department of Transportation, Fort Worth Locations: New York, Florida, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, The, Texas, Dallas, American

Aug 28 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. The Asian economic calendar is light, with only Japanese unemployment and the latest industrial production, trade and inflation figures from Vietnam on tap. Trading volumes should return to more normal levels with UK markets open again. Fellow real estate developer China Resources Land publishes half-year results on Tuesday, while Evergrande shares trade for a second day after Monday's long-awaited reopening. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Jamie McGeever, Gina Raimondo, Terry Gou, Josie Kao Organizations: Stock, financials Bank of China, Garden, Land, U.S . Commerce, Washington, Apple, Monday, . Commerce, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Beijing, Vietnam, China, Ukraine, Japan

The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six peers, edged 0.08 lower to 104.08 after hitting its highest since early June on Friday. "It remains unlikely we get a hike from the Fed in September," Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone, said. With the Fed highlighting the importance of the upcoming U.S. economic data, investors' focus this week will be on reports on payrolls, core inflation and consumer spending. But the single currency traded near an almost 11-week low hit on Friday after European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said policy needed to be restrictive. China's yuan steadied against the dollar, buoyed by the Chinese central bank repeatedly setting stronger-than-expected daily-mid-points.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Jackson, Jerome Powell, Chris Weston, Weston, Rodrigo Catril, Christine Lagarde, Tommy Wu, Joice Alves, Ankur Banerjee, Mark Potter, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Fed, National Australia Bank, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, Sterling, London, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, U.S, China, Japan, London, Singapore

World shares (.MIWD00000PUS) were up 0.3% in European trading. European stocks, led by technology shares and China-exposed automakers, also rose. But the uncomfortable message from Jackson Hole may mean a protracted higher inflation than market bulls might have hoped, said the note. Figures on European Union inflation this week may also be instrumental in whether the European Central Bank (ECB) decides to hike next month. Oil prices drew some support from the storm developing in the Gulf of Mexico and China support.

Persons: Issei Kato, Florian Ielpo, Jerome Powell, Lombard, Ielpo, Jackson, Christine Lagarde, Ben Broadbent, Kazuo Ueda, Brent, Nell Mackenzie, Amanda Cooper, Stephen Coates, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Nikkei, U.S, REUTERS, Companies, payrolls, China PMI, China, Nasdaq, FTSE, China Evergrande, HK, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Shanghai, Lombard, Traders, Federal, Fed, JPMorgan, European Central Bank, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, China, Beijing, Generali, Hollywood, Friday's, Gulf of Mexico

The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six peers, edged 0.06% lower at 104.11, after hitting its highest since early June on Friday. "But November is shaping up to be a 'live' event, where data points have the potential to throw interest rate expectations around." With the Fed highlighting the importance of the upcoming U.S. economic data, investors' focus this week will firmly be on reports on payrolls, core inflation and consumer spending. According to Refinitiv data, the market is now evenly split on whether there will be another rise in the 3.75% rate in September. China's yuan steadied against the dollar, buoyed by the Chinese central bank persistently setting stronger-than-expected daily-mid-points.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Jerome Powell, Powell, Chris Weston, Weston, Rodrigo Catril, Christine Lagarde, Tommy Wu, Joice Alves, Ankur Banerjee, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, Fed, National Australia Bank, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, China, Beijing, U.S, Japan, London, Singapore

☆ New Zealand's opposition vows to shake up central bank, as it leads in polls
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) building in Wellington, New Zealand, on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. New Zealand's central bank could have its policy goals narrowed significantly and be subject to an external review if the center-right National Party opposition wins election this year, as political scrutiny of the bank intensifies. As the country heads to an election in October, opinion polls show the opposition leading the center-left Labor government, which has held office since 2017. National's platform includes returning the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's, or RBNZ, goal to a single target of keeping inflation between 1% and 3% and jettisoning recent additions of an employment mandate. "New Zealanders need confidence that the Reserve Bank will not deprioritize inflation in the pursuit of other goals," National finance spokesperson Nicola Willis said in an emailed response to questions from Reuters.

Persons: Nicola Willis Organizations: Bank of New Zealand, National Party, Labor, Reserve Bank of New, Reserve Bank, National, Reuters Locations: Wellington , New Zealand, New

☆ Dollar soft as investors digest 'higher for longer' path
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"We will proceed carefully as we decide whether to tighten further or, instead, to hold the policy rate constant and await further data," Powell said in a keynote address. "It is the Fed's job to bring inflation down to our 2% goal, and we will do so." "It remains unlikely we get a hike from the Fed in September," said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone. The single currency was up 0.04% to $1.0804, while the pound was last at $1.2599, up 0.17% on the day. The Australian dollar rose 0.55% to $0.644, while the New Zealand dollar gained 0.32% versus the greenback to $0.592.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell, Chris Weston, Weston, Rodrigo Catril Organizations: Fed, National Australia Bank, Bank of Japan, New Zealand Locations: Chicago, U.S, Japan

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