Central bank week ahead!Central bank week ahead! We've got interest rate decisions out from the Bank of Canada, FED, Bank of England and Bank of Japan.
BoC 17/09 - 25bps cut 94% - First on the chopping board is the BoC who are set to reduce interest rates by 0.25%. This comes amid steady inflation, holding below the 2% target and below recent expectations for an increase, currently at 1.9%. They've also seen unemployment rising to 7.1%, the highest level since 2021. The BoC has acknowledged the weakening labour market but are expected to follow a wait and see approach after todays cut. Current rates 2.75%
FED 17/09 - 25bps cut 98% - The FED's first rate decision after some very rocky labour market data and a surprise dovish tilt from Powell at Jackson Hole. Inflation remains sticky but the FED has stated that their current focus is set on labour market weakness. As well as the rates, we will also receive updated economic and interest rate projections, likely to carry much more weighting and longer term direction. In the economic projections we'll be looking out for the dot plot, GDP, employment and inflation to gauge future expectations for FED rates. This could undermine or support the rate cuts to trade with caution. Current rates 4.25-4.50%
BoE 18/09 - HOLD 100% - The BoE is set to hold rates steady at 4.00% amid elevated inflation data and recently positive labour market data. Inflation data came in lower than consensus earlier this week but still remains well above target at 3.8%. In the previous BoE meeting we saw a surprise hawkish tilt in the way of MPC voting.
2 members shifted from voting to cut to voting for a hold and the scales are expected to remain fairly heavy on the hold side tomorrow. The member voting and minutes will provide much needed context to the potential hold to come. Current rates 4.00%
BoJ 19/09 - HOLD 87% - Rounding a busy week off with the BoJ who is set to hold rates at 0.50%. There has been some hawkish comments from the BoJ in recent times as inflation holds around 3.1% and unemployment recovers from 2.5% to 2.3% but amid political turbulence a bold move from the BoJ in this decision is less likely. However the other potential would be for a surprise rate hike with a current probability of 11%. The BoJ is no stranger to surprises so will be looking out for any action or comments made to support future JPY strength or weakness. Current rates 0.50%
These fresh rates provide the opportunity for divergences between monetary policy. This could park the continuation higher for pairs such as EURUSD and GBPUSD if the fed sticks to a more dovish tilt and supports this in their economic projections.
Other currency pairs such as AUDCAD and AUDNZD provide some clear divergence with the RBA holding higher rates and the BoC and RBNZ cutting with lower rates. Any clear pullbacks within these assets could provide opportunity to get long and hold through for a bigger move
