DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ The Fed may soon cut interest rates. That could make your next trip abroad more expensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesThe U.S. Federal Reserve may start cutting interest rates before year's end. How interest rates impact the U.S. dollarIn reality, the dynamics driving dollar fluctuations are more complex than whether the Fed raises or lowers interest rates. The European Central Bank cut interest rates in June, for example. This is happening against the backdrop of a relatively strong U.S. economy, which also generally supports a strong dollar, Petersen said. For example, investors generally get a better return on cash when interest rates are high.

Persons: SeongJoon Cho, Jonathan Petersen, Petersen, " Petersen, that's, Richard Madigan, Benjamin Atwater, Atwater, Morgan's Madigan, Jerome Powell, Bonnie Cash Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, . Federal, U.S ., Capital Economics, U.S, Morgan Private Bank, European Central Bank, Fed, Bank of Japan, U.S . Federal, Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs, ECB Locations: Japan, Asia, Denver, Europe, U.S

☆ Japan stocks extend rally to hit fresh all-time highs amid mixed Asia-Pacific markets
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

People commuting to work in the morning cross a pedestrian crossing in Tokyo on February 15, 2024. Asia-Pacific markets were mostly up, with Japan's key benchmark hitting new highs on Friday, after scaling record peaks in the previous session. The broad-based Topix also extended its gains and advanced 0.06% to a fresh record high. Japan's household spending for May unexpectedly dipped 1.8% in real terms compared to the same period last year. Household spending data is a key metric for the Bank of Japan's to assess its goal of realizing a "virtuous cycle" of rising wages and prices.

Persons: Topix Organizations: Nikkei, Reuters, Bank of Japan's Locations: Tokyo, Asia, Pacific, Singapore

☆ Japan is bracing for rage against the vending machine
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Hole-in-the-wall izakayas (traditional bars), ryokan (traditional inns), and Shinto shrines often accept cash only. STR/Getty ImagesTake Japan's millions of vending machines. The Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers Association recently said that almost 80% of the country's machines would need upgrades to accept the new notes, per comments reported by Reuters. Vending machines are a common sight in Japan. If they're stopping by a vending machine there anytime soon, they may want to check first if their bills will work.

Persons: —, Omotesando, Bank of Japan — Organizations: Service, Business, Kansai region's, Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers Association, Reuters, Bank of Japan Locations: Japan, Ginza, Tokyo, Kansai, Kansai region's Osaka

Asia-Pacific markets rose Thursday morning as Japan's Topix crossed its all-time high of 2,886.50, previously set in December 1989. The Topix jumped 0.56% in early morning trading, while the Nikkei 225 rose 0.55%. The Nikkei is less than 150 points from its all-time high of 40,888.43. Big firms with 300 or more union-backed employees raised wages by 5.19%, while smaller firms increased pay by 4.45%. Australia's trade surplus is expected to narrow to 6.3 billion Australian dollars ($4.23 billion) from about AU$ 6.5 billion.

Persons: Topix Organizations: Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Nikkei, Bank of Japan Locations: Asia, Pacific, Hong Kong

☆ Bank of Japan is expected to trim bond buying by $100 billion in first year, Reuters survey shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The flag of Japan flutters at the Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo on Dec. 19, 2023. Japan bond market participants expect the central bank to trim bond purchases by roughly $100 billion in the first year under a quantitative tightening (QT) plan set for release this month, according to a survey conducted by Reuters. A Reuters survey of 19 banks, brokerages, insurers and asset managers showed they expect the Bank of Japan to trim bond buying by an average 16.1 trillion yen ($99.7 billion) in the first year. That would translate into monthly purchases of 4.65 trillion yen, down from the current pace of around 6 trillion yen. Combined, it would amount to a reduction of roughly 45 trillion yen during the two-year period.

Organizations: Bank of Japan, Reuters Locations: Japan, Tokyo, brokerages

“Without Nepal, Japan would not function.”The yellow flowers of the paperbush shrub seen in Dolakha, Nepal, in December 2023. Its bark has long, strong fibers that are perfect for making thin yet durable paper, according to the Kantou website. But as the shortage of Japanese paperbush became evident in the following years, Kanpou and the Nepali farmers ramped up production until they became the main source of the yen bill. It’s a protracted process, said Matsubara: farmers plant seedlings in early summer, harvest their branches in the fall, then spend several months processing the bark through steaming, peeling, washing and drying. The profits from the paperbush sales have provided a new revenue stream to Nepali communities, said Matsubara.

Persons: “, ”, Tadashi Matsubara, Matsubara, Tadashi Matsubara Kanpou, It’s, it’s, Eiichi Shibusawa, –, Kanpou Organizations: Tokyo CNN — Banks, Kanpou, “, National Printing Bureau, Kyodo, Bank of Japan, Observatory, Ministry of Economy, Trade, Industry, government’s Japan International Cooperation Agency, CNN Locations: Japan, Nepal, China, Dolakha, Everest, Tokyo, Farmers, Kathmandu, Indian, Kolkata, Yokohama, Odawara, Ilam, Nepal’s Ilam

☆ Euro rises after France's first-round vote, yen struggles
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The euro rose on Monday after the first round of France's snap election put the far-right in pole position, though by a smaller margin than projected, while a downgrade to Japan's first-quarter growth figures knocked the yen lower. "They (RN) have actually performed a little bit worse than what was expected," said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The yen struggled to gain ground against a broadly weaker dollar, and was last 0.05% lower at 160.93 per dollar. That could lead to a cut to the Bank of Japan's growth forecasts in fresh quarterly projections due later this month and affect the timing of its next interest rate hike, analysts said. Elsewhere in Asia, the Chinese yuan - also a victim of stark interest rate differentials with the U.S. - was last 0.02% higher at 7.2981 per dollar in the offshore market.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Carol Kong, Michael Brown, CBA's Organizations: Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Reserve, New Zealand, Bank of, U.S Locations: Japan, Asia

☆ Japanese manufacturer sentiment stronger than we expected: BofA Securities
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailJapanese manufacturer sentiment stronger than we expected: BofA SecuritiesIzumi Devalier, head of Japan economics at BofA Securities, discusses the Bank of Japan's latest Tankan survey and the outlook for its monetary policy.

Persons: BofA Securities Izumi Devalier Organizations: BofA Securities, Bank of Japan's Locations: Japan

☆ Taiwan tops Asia's best-performing stock markets so far in 2024 — Japan is No. 2
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

A screen displays stock figures at the Taiwan Stock Exchange Corp. headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. The Taiwan Weighted Index has surged 28% so far this year, powered by stocks along the AI value chain. While Taiwan may lead Asian markets, Japan seems to be the favored market going forward, among analysts who spoke to CNBC. While most Asian markets are in positive territory year-to-date, three stock markets — Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines — fell into negative territory. The CME FedWatch tool indicates that 61% of traders expect the Fed to cut rates by 25 basis points in the September meeting.

Persons: Foxconn —, Hai Precision Industry —, Rahul Ghosh, Rowe Price, Ghosh, Ben Powell, Powell, Neel Kashkari, Ken Orchard Organizations: Taiwan Stock Exchange Corp, Bloomberg, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp, Hai Precision Industry, Intelligence, Nikkei, CNBC, BlackRock Investment Institute, Bank of Japan, Federal, U.S, Fed, Minneapolis Federal Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Asia, Pacific, Japan, BlackRock, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Jakarta, Philippine, U.S

☆ Japanese yen weakens to fresh 38-year lows; top currency diplomat replaced
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesThe Japanese yen weakened to fresh 38-year lows on Friday, crossing the 161 mark against the dollar for the first time since 1986 and reaching a high of 161.27, according to LSEG data. The yen has been steadily deprecating since the Bank of Japan ended its negative interest rate policy and scrapped its yield curve control policy in March. Following the move, the currency crossed the 150 mark against the dollar, reaching 160 in late April before the country's finance ministry intervened. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart iconJapan's finance ministry confirmed that it intervened between April 26 to May 29 to the tune of 9.7885 trillion yen ($62.25 billion). The benchmark U.S. federal funds rate stands at 5.25% to 5.5%, while the Bank of Japan's benchmark interest rate is at 0%-0.1%.

Persons: Dong Chen, Dong Organizations: Currency Museum, Bank of Japan's Institute for Monetary, Economic Studies, Bank of Japan, Japan Ministry of Finance, U.S, Bank Locations: Asia, Swiss, Japan

☆ Yen weakness: Japanese consumers are 'feeling the pain,' economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailYen weakness: Japanese consumers are 'feeling the pain,' economist saysNorihiro Yamaguchi, senior Japan economist at Oxford Economics, discusses the challenge that the Bank of Japan faces when it comes to interest rates.

Persons: Norihiro Yamaguchi Organizations: Oxford Economics, Bank of Japan Locations: Japan

☆ The Bank of Japan has to be careful with rate hikes, economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe Bank of Japan has to be careful with rate hikes, economist saysShane Oliver, head of investment strategy and chief economist at AMP, explains what's behind the "dilemma" that the central bank faces.

Persons: Shane Oliver Organizations: of, AMP Locations: of Japan

☆ Yen needs to stabilize for investors to look positively on Japanese stocks: Fidelity
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailYen needs to stabilize for investors to look positively on Japanese stocks: FidelityTerrence Kan of Fidelity International says the Japanese Yen is "way too weak" and expects the Bank of Japan to step in and stabilize the currency.

Persons: Fidelity Terrence Kan Organizations: Fidelity, Fidelity International, Bank of Japan

☆ Asian shares shaky as investors wary before US inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Risk sentiment was also capped as hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials kept near-term U.S. rate cut expectations in check in a boost to the dollar. The comments along with data showing a stable housing market kept expectations in check over when and by how much the Fed will cut rates. Markets are pricing in 47 basis points of easing this year, with a rate cut in September pegged at 66% probability, CME FedWatch tool showed. In the currency market, the dollar index , which measures the U.S. unit against six peers, was steady at 105.64, while the euro was at $1.0715. The yen touched a 34-year low of 160.245 per dollar on April 29, prompting Tokyo to spend roughly 9.8 trillion in late April and early May to support the currency.

Persons: Androniki, Lisa Cook, Cook, Michelle Bowman, Selena Ling, OCBC, OCBC's Ling, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Nikkei, REUTERS, Federal Reserve, . Federal, Reuters, Bank of Japan's, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, SINGAPORE, U.S, Asia, Pacific

REUTERS/Bobby Yip/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights New Tab , opens new tabJune 26 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets. The first definition that appears in an online search for the meaning of "resilience" is "the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness." In that light, the direction Asian markets are liable to take on Wednesday is hard to call. Broader concerns about the weakness of the yen and potential intervention from Japanese authorities, and the Chinese yuan's steady depreciation, still hang heavily over Asian markets. Here are key developments that could provide more direction to markets on Wednesday:- Australia inflation (May)- RBA assistant governor Kent speaks- Singapore manufacturing production (May)Sign up here.

Persons: Bobby Yip, Tuesday's, Christopher Kent, Kent, Jamie McGeever Organizations: Hong Kong Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Nvidia, Tuesday's U.S, Reserve Bank of Australia, Bank of Japan, U.S, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, U.S, Tuesday's, Singapore, Australia

☆ Weak yen: Japanese policymakers 'caught in a bind,' wealth management firm says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWeak yen: Japanese policymakers 'caught in a bind,' wealth management firm saysDaryl Liew, head of portfolio management at SingAlliance, says the Bank of Japan could hike interest rates at a faster pace to stem the yen's weakness, but "extremely high" debt levels would mean Japan would face pressure "from a fiscal perspective, which would then put pressure on the yen as well."

Persons: Daryl Liew Organizations: Bank of Locations: SingAlliance, Bank of Japan, Japan

☆ Dollar steady ahead of inflation reading; yen teeters toward 160
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar was steady on Monday as traders looked ahead to fresh clues on the U.S. inflation path that will likely influence interest rates, while talk from Japanese authorities did little to temper the yen's decline back the round number of 160. The dollar was steady on Monday as traders looked ahead to fresh clues on the U.S. inflation path that will likely influence interest rates, while talk from Japanese authorities did little to temper the yen's decline back the round number of 160. The yen weakened to 159.94 per dollar in early trade on Monday, its lowest since April 29, when the yen touched a 34-year low of 160.245 leading to Japanese authorities spending some 9.8 trillion yen to support the currency. "The combination of slowing activity, a loosening labor market and slower inflation readings make us increasingly confident that the Fed will begin reducing policy rates in September," Citi said. The Australian dollar was last at $0.6640 and the New Zealand dollar was little changed at $0.6113.

Persons: Masato Kanda, Carol Kong, Emmanuel Macron, Christopher Wong Organizations: Bank of, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Reuters, Citi, Fed, National, New Zealand Locations: Japan, U.S

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Dow posts best week since May, Tesla cuts 14% of workforce
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Abid Ali | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Traders work on the floor during morning trading at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on March 6, 2024 in New York City. This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. The tech-centric Nasdaq Composite remained flat, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average had its best week since May, rising 1.45%. Most Asia markets fallMost Asia-Pacific markets were trading lower as investors awaited inflation data from Australia and Japan later this week.

Persons: JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Tesla, Elon Musk, Musk, Australia's, Kospi, Seng, Morgan Stanley's Andrew Slimmon Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, CNBC, Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Citigroup, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Apple Intelligence, Union, Nikkei, Bank of, CSI Locations: New York City, Asia, Pacific, Australia, Japan, Bank of Japan

☆ Dollar scales multi-week highs as other cenbanks more dovish than Fed
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Even so, Japan's top currency diplomat Masato Kanda stressed on Friday that Tokyo stands ready to take further "resolute" action against "speculative, excessive volatility". The dollar index was little changed at 105.66, on course for a slight weekly gain that would extend its winning streak to three weeks. Sterling was flat at $1.2657, sticking close to the $1.2655 low from Thursday, a level last seen on May 17. The BoE kept rates on hold, but some policy makers said the decision not to cut was "finely balanced". The European Central Bank kicked off its rate cutting cycle earlier this month.

Persons: Tony Sycamore, Sycamore, Masato Kanda, Sterling, BoE Organizations: U.S, Federal, Swiss, Swiss National Bank, Bank of England, Bank of, IG, U.S . Treasury, European Central Bank, Fed Locations: Japan, China, Tokyo

☆ CNBC Daily Open: S&P 500 briefly crosses 5,500, closes lower
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Abid Ali | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. S&P 500 slips from record highThe S&P 500 briefly passed the 5,500 mark for the first time before ending the session lower. Open AI challengerAnthropic, a leading AI competitor to OpenAI, unveiled Claude 3.5 Sonnet, its most advanced AI model to date. [PRO] AI real estateCiti analysts pinpoint a "compelling emerging" real estate trend fueled by AI and nearshoring.

Persons: Gilead, Anthropic, Claude, Donald Trump's, Trump, Masato Kanda Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, CNBC, Nasdaq, Nvidia, Dow Jones, Gilead Sciences, Google, Trump Media, New, Nikkei, Bank of, Reuters, United, CSI, Citi Locations: New York City, U.S, New York, Japan, United States, Asia, Pacific

Photographer: Kentaro Takahashi/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets were mixed as Japan's May core inflation data came in slightly cooler than expected. The country's core inflation rate — which strips out prices of fresh food — came in at 2.5%. A Reuters poll of economists expected the May core inflation reading to come in at 2.6%, compared to April's 2.2%. The so-called "core-core" inflation, which strips out prices of fresh food and energy, came in at 2.1%. This is lower than April's reading of 2.4%.

Persons: Kentaro Takahashi Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty Images, Bank of Japan Locations: Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, Getty Images Asia, Pacific

☆ 'Very optimistic' on the outlook for Japan, Fiera Capital Asia says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via Email'Very optimistic' on the outlook for Japan, Fiera Capital Asia saysCJ Morrell, head of Japan at Fiera Capital Asia, expects a "small rate hike" and a "small reduction" in the Bank of Japan's bond purchase program during the institution's July meeting.

Persons: CJ Morrell Organizations: Fiera, Fiera Capital, Bank of Locations: Japan, Fiera Capital, Fiera Capital Asia

☆ Dollar firm as euro wallows; yuan brushes aside China data
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The dollar was firm on Monday as the euro hovered near a more than one-month low amid continued concerns about the political outlook in Europe. The yuan held close to a multi-month low after China released a slew of economic data that pointed to an uneven recovery in the world's second-largest economy. A Reuters poll published last week showed 63 of 65 economists thought a first cut would not come until Aug. 1. Elsewhere, the yuan was mostly flat at 7.2550 per dollar after domestic data showed a mixed economic picture in China. China's central bank left a key policy rate unchanged as expected on Monday as the weak yuan continued to hamper policy easing.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron's, Matt Simpson, Neel Kashkari, Index's Simpson, Sterling, Kazuo Ueda, bitcoin Organizations: U.S, Gazprom, European Central Bank, Reuters, Index, . Minneapolis Federal, Bank of England, Bank of Japan Locations: Poland, Bulgaria, Europe, China, U.S

☆ Bank of Japan set to reduce JGB purchases, stands pat on interest rate
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Bank of Japan is largely expected to hold interest rates steady at the end of its 2-day meeting ending June 14, 2024. The Bank of Japan kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Friday, but indicated it's considering the reduction of its purchase of Japanese government bonds. The central bank left short-term rates unchanged at between 0% to 0.1% at the end of its two-day policy meeting, as widely expected. But notably, the bank said in its statement it could reduce its purchases of Japanese government bonds after the next monetary policy meeting, scheduled for July 30 and 31. Purchases of JGBs, commercial paper and corporate bonds will also continue as decided in the March monetary policy meeting.

Persons: Nakamura Toyoaki, Toyoaki, JGB Organizations: Bank of Japan, The Bank of Japan, U.S ., Nikkei Locations: Tokyo

☆ Asia-Pacific markets range bound ahead of Bank of Japan rate decision
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) headquarters is seen beyond the cherry blossoms in Tokyo on March 20, 2023. Kazuhiro Nogi | Afp | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets were largely range bound on Friday ahead of the Bank of Japan's rate decision. Economists polled by Reuters expect the BOJ will maintain its benchmark interest rate at 0%-0.1%, but Nikkei reported the central bank is considering reducing its holdings of Japanese government bonds. The BOJ currently aims to purchase about 6 trillion yen ($38.5 billion) in bonds per month, and has informed the market of plans to purchase between 4.8 trillion yen and 7 trillion yen of bonds per month. Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 17,964, lower than the HSI's last close of 18,112.63.

Persons: Kazuhiro Nogi, Kospi Organizations: Bank of Japan, Afp, Getty, Bank of, Reuters, Nikkei Locations: Tokyo, Asia, Pacific, Hong Kong

Search resuls for: "The Bank of Japan"

25 mentions found