Makro

Sources speaking with Reuters revealed that the European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers are likely to hike rates “at least” twice this year, beginning in June if there’s no resolution to the Iran conflict.

ABN AMRO’s US Senior Economist Rogier Quaedvlieg reviews the latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decision, noting that the Federal Reserve (Fed) kept rates unchanged and maintained an easing bias in its statement.

As widely telegraphed, the European Central Bank (ECB) kept its policy rates unchanged, but the tone of the meeting reflected a far more complicated backdrop.

Rabobank's Senior Macro Strategist Stefan Koopman reviews the latest Bank of England (BoE) decision to hold the Bank Rate at 3.75%, noting Governor Bailey’s description of an 'active hold' as he balances inflation persistence against risks to employment and activity.

Nordea’s Chief Analyst Jan von Gerich notes that the European Central Bank (ECB) kept its key rate at 2.0% and maintained a data-dependent, meeting-by-meeting stance.

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), explains the ECB's decision to leave key rates unchanged at the April policy meeting and responds to questions from the press.

EUR/USD trades around 1.1690 on Thursday at the time of writing, up 0.11% on the day, after hitting a three-week low at 1.1655 earlier in the day.

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), explains the ECB's decision to leave key rates unchanged at the April policy meeting and responds to questions from the press.

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), explains the ECB's decision to leave key rates unchanged at the April policy meeting and responds to questions from the press.

ING’s James Smith notes that the Bank of England (BoE) kept rates at 3.75% in April but is moving closer to tightening as the Middle East crisis persists. ING now expects a single June rate hike, with UK inflation seen peaking slightly above 4% this year.

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), explains the ECB's decision to leave key rates unchanged at the April policy meeting and responds to questions from the press.

EUR/JPY declines and trades around 183.60 at the time of writing, after hitting two-week highs above 187.50, amid mixed pressures from European monetary policy and rising intervention risks in Japan.

The Australian Dollar (AUD) reflects a mixed performance against its major currency peers, trading 0.5% higher to near 0.7150 against the US Dollar (USD) during the early North American session on Thursday.

Inflation in the United States (US), as measured by the change in the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index, climbed to 3.5% in March from 2.8% in February, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis reported on Thursday. This print came in line with the market expectation.

Deutsche Bank strategists report that the Federal Reserve (Fed) left rates unchanged but saw four dissents, the most since 1992, including both dovish and hawkish objections.