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2026-02-18 16:00:58
[Global Forex Market News Roundup: Divergence Remains Over Fed Rate Cut Path, RBA Hints at Continued Easing] ⑴ Regarding the Federal Reserve, Governor Barr stated that the outlook suggests interest rates will remain unchanged for some time, the job market is stabilizing, and price pressures are expected to ease further. Daly pointed out that there is still about 75 basis points of room before reaching the neutral rate and emphasized that the impact of AI must be thoroughly studied to make the right interest rate decisions. ⑵ Rumors of changes at the ECB leadership resurface. British media reported that Lagarde hopes to step down before the French presidential election next April. The ECB responded that it has not made any decision on the end of its term and is fully focused on its current mission. The French political situation adds uncertainty to the future leadership of the ECB. ⑶ The yen receives multiple supports. Japan's exports in January saw their fastest growth in more than three years. The IMF recommended that the Japanese government maintain the central bank's independence, control fiscal expansion, and assume two rate hikes this year and one more in 2027. The Finance Minister stated that responsible fiscal policy will be implemented. ⑷ The Reserve Bank of New Zealand kept its interest rate unchanged at 2.25%, in line with expectations. The statement said that as the recovery strengthens and inflation falls, monetary policy will gradually normalize, but is likely to remain accommodative for some time. Chairman Brehmann indicated that a rate hike is possible before the end of the year, but this would depend on stronger economic and inflationary pressures. The Swedish Finance Minister explicitly stated that Sweden will not join the Eurozone in the next few years.
