BOJ weighing next action after Fed rate hike
The USD is higher across the board after the Fed finally announced its much awaited rate hike. The market had already priced in the 25 basis points rate hike to the Fed funds rate, but the hawkish tone of the FOMC statement, dot plot and Fed Chair Janet Yellen's press conference have boosted the USD and solidified the strong dollar rally. Improving U.S. economic conditions were cited and the expectation now is of at least 3 rate hikes in 2017. The effect of those improved forecasts have been felt around the globe.
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) will release its Monetary policy statement and press conference between the end of Monday and the beginning of Tuesday December 20 EST. Analysts are expecting the central bank to keep the quantitative easing unchanged and negative rates on hold. The weak JPY and hawkish U.S. growth expectations have given the BOJ room to hold and even improve its economy assessment.
The Bank of England (BoE) and Swiss National Bank (SNB) both kept their monetary policies unchanged after the Fed and is now up to the Bank of Japan to close the year for major central banks.
