The Bank of Japan held its benchmark interest rate steady and raised its inflation outlook more than expected in a sign it may be closer to a rate hike, while continuing to warn that it's still assessing the impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs. The BOJ kept the overnight call rate at 0.5% at the end of a two-day policy meeting in a unanimous vote, according to a statement Thursday. All 56 surveyed economists forecast the decision. The nine-member board boosted its median inflation projection for the current fiscal year in its quarterly economic outlook report to 2.7%...
Economy is in a solid position.Inflation is somewhat above target.Believe the current stance of policy leaves us well positioned to respond in a timely way.Moderation in growth reflects a slowdown in consumer spending.Activity in the housing sector remains weak.Unemployment is low and has remained in a narrow range.Wide set of indicators suggests the job market is near maximum employment.Expects PCE up 2.5% and Core up 2.7% in 12 months through June.Most measures of longer-run inflation expectations are consistent with the Fed's goal.Tariffs have exerted pressure on some goods, but the wider...
The Federal Reserve left the federal funds rate steady at the 4.25%–4.50% target range for a fifth consecutive meeting in July 2025, in line with expectations. Policymakers noted that although swings in net exports continue to affect the data, recent indicators suggest that growth of economic activity moderated in the first half of the year. The unemployment rate remains low, and labor market conditions remain solid. In addition, inflation remains somewhat elevated, and uncertainty about the economic outlook persists. The Fed reinforced that additional adjustments to the target range for...
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said on Thursday he continues to believe the U.S. central bank should cut interest rates at the end of this month amid mounting risks to the economy and the strong likelihood that tariff-induced inflation will not drive a persistent rise in price pressures. "It makes sense to cut the FOMC's policy rate by 25 basis points two weeks from now," Waller told a gathering of the Money Marketeers of New York University. "I see the hard and soft data on economic activity and the labor market as consistent: The economy is still growing, but its momentum...
The emerging divide among Federal Reserve officials over the outlook for interest rates is being driven largely by differing expectations for how tariffs might affect inflation, a record of policymakers' most recent meeting showed. "While a few participants noted that tariffs would lead to a one-time increase in prices and would not affect longer-term inflation expectations, most participants noted the risk that tariffs could have more persistent effects on inflation," the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee's June 17-18 meeting said. New rate projections released...
According to a statement by the Federal Reserve (Fed), Fed Chair Jerome Powell met with United States (US) President Donald Trump on Thursday, where the head of the Fed reiterated that the Fed's...
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) maintained its cash rate at 4.1% during its April meeting, holding borrowing costs unchanged after slashing 25 bps in the February meeting, aligning with market...