Japan: the weak JPY has turned from a problem to a nest egg . The level of JPY weakness has changed from a ‘problem’ to a ‘nest egg’ as the Trump administration’s tariff rate hikes require a buffer. With the buffer of a weaker JPY, the auto industry may be able to continue domestic production without having to raise prices significantly in the US in response to higher tariff rates.
At its last meeting in January, Norges Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee kept the policy rate unchanged at 4.5% but reiterated the guidance that “the policy rate will likely be reduced in March”. Since then, spot activity data remained subdued, but the labour market showed signs of resilience and business expectations turned more positive.
As a new fiscal discipline, we need a new fiscal target that can take into account macroeconomic conditions, guiding net domestic fund demand to be around -5%. The previous fiscal target of achieving a primary balance surplus was flawed because it aimed to achieve a surplus regardless of macroeconomic conditions, making it impossible to sustainably expand the size of the economy.
The pound has outperformed alongside other European currencies this month benefitting from the significant improvement in investor sentiment towards the region. It has helped to lift cable back up above the 1.3000-level for the first time since last year’s US election.
The pound has outperformed alongside other European currencies this month benefitting from the significant improvement in investor sentiment towards the region. It has helped to lift cable back up towards the 1.3000-level for the first time since last year’s US election. In contrast, the pound has weakened modestly against the euro lifting EUR/GBP back above the 0.8400-level for the second time this year.
A drop in consumer sentiment brought fresh concerns about the US economic growth. Most major equity indices sold off and government bonds rallied, with the 10Y US Treasury yield dropping 11bp to 4.29%. Market digested news that Ukraine is going to sign a minerals deal with the US, and a confirmation from the US president that US tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports will go up next week.
