Analysis: Currencies

Canada's GDP contracts in August, might avoid a recession in third quarter

OTTAWA -Canada's GDP contracted in August  against a consensus estimate of flat growth, data showed on Friday, and an advance estimate suggested the economy might escape a recession in the third...

US weekly jobless claims fall, economists estimate

WASHINGTON -The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, economists estimated on Thursday, though new job opportunities for those who are laid off...

Yen weakens after BOJ holds rates steady, Fed boosts dollar

NEW YORK -The Japanese yen tumbled against the U.S. dollar on Thursday after the Bank of Japan adopted a less hawkish tone than traders expected, while the greenback was boosted after Federal Reserve...

BOJ chief signals chance of rate hike soon, says wage momentum key

TOKYO -The Bank of Japan kept interest rates steady on Thursday, with its governor sending the strongest signal yet that a rate hike was possible as soon as December depending on the outlook for...

Fed lowers rates, but Powell suggests move may be the last of 2025

WASHINGTON -A policy divide within the U.S. central bank and a lack of federal government data may put another interest rate cut out of reach this year, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on...

US pending home sales flat in September; job market worries likely dissuading buyers

WASHINGTON -Contracts to purchase previously owned U.S. homes were unexpectedly unchanged in September, likely as worries about the labor market and economic uncertainty kept prospective buyers on...

Bank of Canada cuts 2025 and 2026 forecasts, cites US trade policy

The Bank of Canada on Wednesday slashed its growth forecasts for both 2025 and 2026, citing the effect of U.S. trade policy, and predicted the economy would recover slightly in 2027. In...

Trump again targets Fed's Powell on interest rate cuts

SEOUL -U.S. President Donald Trump complained on Wednesday about the Federal Reserve, once again taking aim at central bank chief Jerome Powell for perceived delays in cutting interest rates. ...

Market liquidity concerns cloud end of Fed's balance sheet drawdown

As Wall Street's expectations have rapidly shifted toward an imminent end to the Federal Reserve's effort to shrink its bond holdings, some analysts also anticipate a return to balance sheet...

Currencies: The balance of power has reversed

You can get burnt playing with fire, especially as the geopolitical situation has changed significantly in recent years. Donald Trump would be well advised to remember this during his negotiations...

Fed poised to cut rates this week, with more easing likely on tap

Federal Reserve policymakers are widely expected to reduce U.S. short-term borrowing costs  this week by a quarter of a percentage point for the second time this year as they look to prevent further...

Countdown to Fed cut: Bond investors scale back on longer-dated Treasuries

NEW YORK -Bond investors are re-examining their holdings of longer-dated Treasuries, with some reducing positions and others even going short relative to their benchmark, as the Federal Reserve...

Bank of Canada poised to cut rates to 2.25% amid economic slowdown

OTTAWA -Economists expect the Bank of Canada to make a second consecutive policy rate cut this week due to a slowing economy and high joblessness. Canada's economy contracted in the...

Fed hands banks a win with vote to advance 'stress test' overhaul

WASHINGTON -The U.S. Federal Reserve on Friday advanced an overhaul of its annual stress tests of large banks, handing the industry a long-sought win over an exercise that they complain is opaque and...

US dollar set for modest weekly gain after soft inflation data

NEW YORK -The U.S. dollar was almost flat on Friday after dipping following fresh inflation data that showed U.S. consumer prices increased less than expected in September, keeping the Federal...

US dollar lower after consumer prices increase less than expected

NEW YORK/LONDON -The U.S. dollar was lower on Friday after fresh U.S. inflation data showed that U.S. consumer prices increased slightly less than expected in September, keeping the Federal Reserve...

Fed to hand banks a win with proposed 'stress test' overhaul

WASHINGTON -The U.S. Federal Reserve is poised to unveil an overhaul of its annual stress tests of large banks, handing the industry a long-sought win over an exercise they have long complained is...

Trump to quadruple Argentine beef imports while US ranchers fume

STORY: :: File In a push to lower beef prices at the supermarket, the Trump administration is allowing four times more Argentine beef into the U.S., and American ranchers aren't happy. ...

Canada August retail sales grow but September likely to retreat again

OTTAWA -Canada's retail sales rebounded in August as consumers spent more on new cars, at supermarkets and for clothing, data from Canada's national statistics agency showed on Thursday. ...