Dollar strength caps RMB-led optimism – OCBC

Dollar strength caps RMB-led optimism – OCBC

OCBC’s strategist Christopher Wong says Asian FX remains constrained by a firm Dollar and higher US yields, despite some optimism around US–China talks. The Renminbi (RMB) is the main outperformer on lower USD/CNY fixes and policy-tolerated appreciation, but broader Asia FX stays soft. The bank characterizes the backdrop as measured, selective optimism rather than a […]

Markets shift focus to PMIs and central bank events

Markets shift focus to PMIs and central bank events

The US Dollar Index (DXY) climbs above the 99.30 region, reaching fresh multi-week highs on Friday as stronger-than-expected United States (US) economic data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) may keep interest rates elevated for longer. April Retail Sales rose 0.5%, highlighting resilient consumer spending despite elevated borrowing costs, while hotter Consumer Price Index […]

Energy shock lifts inflation more than GDP – ING

Energy shock lifts inflation more than GDP – ING

ING’s Min Joo Kang expects Japan’s economy to maintain similar growth to the previous quarter, with first-quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) seen rising 0.3% quarter-on-quarter. The war-related energy shock is judged to have limited impact on trade and growth but a more visible effect on inflation. ING forecasts April inflation at 1.8% year-on-year, helped by […]