July PCE inflation hit 3.7% year-on-year, beating forecasts, as consumer spending stalled and the probability of a September rate hold rose to 62%.
Tag: interest rates
Three Fed Dissenters Pushed for Rate Hike as July Minutes Reveal Hawkish Split
Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s July 28–29 meeting show three regional presidents voted to raise rates immediately, the largest dissenting bloc of the year, with many participants warning further hikes may be necessary.
Australia Holds Rates at 4.35% as Bullock Warns Middle East Risk Could Force Further Hikes
The Reserve Bank of Australia kept its cash rate unchanged at 4.35% in a unanimous August 11 decision, but governor Michele Bullock explicitly left the door open to further increases.
BOJ Board Splits on Rate Pace as One Member Calls for Faster Hikes Than Markets Expect
The Bank of Japan’s July meeting summary, released August 10, shows one board member arguing the pace of rate hikes could exceed market expectations as core inflation nears 2%.
Brazil Cuts Selic to 14% for Fourth Consecutive Meeting
Brazil’s Copom cut the Selic to 14% on 5 August, a fourth straight quarter-point reduction completing 100 basis points of easing since March 2026.
Bank of England Holds at 3.75% as Hawkish Dissent Grows to Three MPC Members
The Bank of England kept its benchmark rate at 3.75% on July 30, but a surprise 6-3 vote split — with three MPC members pushing for a hike to 4% — signalled the committee is leaning hawkish.
Bank of Japan Holds at 1% and Upgrades Growth Forecast as Yen Slides to 40-Year Low
Japan’s central bank held its policy rate at 1% on July 27, upgraded its GDP forecast to 0.8% for fiscal 2026, and signalled further tightening ahead as the yen neared a 40-year low.
Oil Above $100 Pushes Fed Rate-Hike Odds to 38% Before July 29 Meeting
CME FedWatch data shows a 38% probability of a Federal Reserve rate hike next week, up sharply from 12% seven days ago, as crude oil crossing $100 adds to already-elevated US inflation.
ECB Holds Rates at 2.25% as Lagarde Warns Energy Shock Is Not Yet Fully Priced
The ECB held its deposit rate at 2.25% on Wednesday, with President Lagarde warning that inflation will remain above target until mid-2027 as Middle East energy costs continue to feed through.
Bank of Korea Raises Rates for First Time in Three Years
South Korea’s central bank raised its benchmark rate to 2.75% on July 16, ending 13 months of policy inaction as record chip exports push inflation above target and the won tests the 1,500 per dollar level.