Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline The Federal Reserve’s “heightened sensitivity” to rising inflation expectations could be triggered by a barrage of political ad campaigns that are expected to highlight surging consumer prices ahead of the midterm elections in November, analysts at Goldman Sachs warned on Friday, adding that the central bank may feel “compelled” to keep hiking rates aggressively. Key Facts With the midterm elections looming in November, surging consumer prices will be a major issue for voters—especially as long-term inflation expectations have surged in recent months, according to the latest consumer sentiment survey released by the University of Michigan on Friday. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve watches long-term inflation expectations closely, and used it in its decision earlier this month to raise interest rates by 75 basis points—the largest increase since 1994. The central bank’s “strong reaction” to the … [Read more...] about Political Ads Targeting Inflation Ahead Of Midterm Elections Could Force The Fed To Keep Hiking Rates: Goldman Sachs
Wpi inflation
Govt continues giving subsidies to stabilise prices, avoid high inflation
- A + A PUTRAJAYA (June 27): The government is willing to bear the projected huge subsidy totalling RM77.3 billion for this year towards stabilising the prices of goods and avoiding high inflation rates of up to 11.4%, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. He said the government had a choice of removing subsidies and strengthening the country’s finances to a better level, but it chose to bear the subsidies instead for the welfare and well-being of the people. Mustapa said the announcement on June 24 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob of no increase in the water and electricity tariffs, and the chicken price not being floated showed the government’s caring side and commitment to maintaining the subsidies. Referring to the projected consumer subsidy expenditure amounting to RM77.3 billion for 2022, he said RM51 billion of it made up the biggest component of fuel, cooking oil, electricity, water, chicken … [Read more...] about Govt continues giving subsidies to stabilise prices, avoid high inflation
Food export bans, from India to Argentina, risk fueling inflation
- A + A MUMBAI/BUENOS AIRES/LONDON (June 27): It only took 24 hours last month for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in India — the world's second-largest producer of wheat — to shelve its plans to "feed the world". In April, Modi had said publicly that the world's most populous democracy was ready to fill part of the gap left by Ukraine in global grains markets by increasing its wheat exports, following five consecutive record harvests. India traditionally exports only a modest amount of wheat, retaining most of its crop for domestic consumption. On May 12, India's Ministry of Commerce & Industry said it was preparing to send delegations to nine countries to export a record 10 million tonnes of wheat this fiscal year — sharply up the previous season. But a barrage of alarming data changed all that. First came a downward revision to India's wheat crop in early May as a sudden heatwave hammered yields. Then data on May 12 showed inflation in the nation … [Read more...] about Food export bans, from India to Argentina, risk fueling inflation
Food export bans risk fueling inflation
Rajendra Jadhav, Maximilian Heath and Nigel Hunt (Reuters) (The Jakarta Post) PREMIUM Mumbai, India/Buenos Aires/London ● Tue, June 28 2022 It only took 24 hours last month for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in India -- the world's second-largest producer of wheat -- to shelve its plans to "feed the world". In April, Modi had said publicly that the world's most populous democracy was ready to fill part of the gap left by Ukraine in global grains markets by increasing its wheat exports, following five consecutive record harvests. India traditionally exports only a modest amount of wheat, retaining most of its crop for domestic consumption. On May 12, India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry said it was preparing to send delegations to nine countries to export a record 10 million tons of wheat this fiscal year -- sharply up the previous season. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and … [Read more...] about Food export bans risk fueling inflation
Central bank chiefs meet to discuss inflation challenge
Agence France-Presse (The Jakarta Post) PREMIUM Sintra, Portugal ● Tue, June 28 2022 Central bank chiefs and economists gather on Monday evening at their annual forum in southern Portugal to discuss the best approach to the inflationary challenges exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Some 200 delegates will attend the European Central Bank (ECB) Forum on Central Banking at a luxury hotel in Sintra, west of Lisbon, after two years of COVID-imposed virtual gatherings. When ECB president Christine Lagarde last attended this event, it was in her previous role as director general of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) back in 2014. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 … [Read more...] about Central bank chiefs meet to discuss inflation challenge
Electricity rates to increase by 5 won per kilowatt-hour
Electricity meter on a building in Seoul on Monday. The government announced that it is raising utility rates, including the electricity rate, due to rising international energy prices and won falling against the dollar. [YONHAP] Electricity rates will increase by 5 won per kilowatt-hour from next month, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced Monday. This is the sharpest increase since a new billing system went into effect in 2021. Gas rates will also be increasing, by 1.11 won per megajoule. The government has been forced to increase rates as oil prices increase globally and as the won falls against the dollar. Electricity is currently billed at 88.3 won ($0.07) per kilowatt hour for the first 200 kilowatt-hours per month, 182.9 won per kilowatt-hour for 201 to 400 kilowatt-hours and 275.6 won per kilowatt-hour above 400 kilowatt-hours. Gas is currently 15.88 won per megajoule. The changes are expected to hit households already struggling with high … [Read more...] about Electricity rates to increase by 5 won per kilowatt-hour
G-7 Leaders Nearing Price Cap On Russian Oil Funding Putin’s War Chest
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Leaders of Group of Seven nations on Monday announced a support package for Ukraine, further sanctions against Russia and are reportedly nearing an agreement to set a price cap on Russian oil, a contentious issue as they debate ways to stave Putin’s war chest while mitigating spiraling inflation, soaring energy prices and an impending global food crisis. Key Facts Leaders of the G-7 —a group of the world’s seven largest economies which includes the U.S., the U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan— announced a suite of new measures against Moscow, including imposing higher tariffs on Russian goods, restricting Russian gold exports and imposing new sanctions on officials and organizations supporting the war effort. The group also unveiled a new support package for Ukraine, including the provision of military hardware, using the higher tariffs on Russian goods to help Ukraine and “financial, … [Read more...] about G-7 Leaders Nearing Price Cap On Russian Oil Funding Putin’s War Chest
Thai central bank says policy tightening will not disrupt economy recovery
- A + A BANGKOK (June 27): A tightening of Thai monetary policy will be conducted so it does not disrupt the recovery of Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, central bank officials said on Monday, reinforcing market expectations of interest rate hikes later this year. Thailand's economy will continue growing this year and next, driven by domestic demand and tourism, and could beat forecasts despite a risk that inflation will be higher than expected, Bank of Thailand (BOT) officials told an analysts' meeting. The BOT will try to prevent the economy from overheating, which would cause demand-driven inflation, by gradually shifting from the current very accommodative policy, assistant governor Piti Disyatat told the meeting. The BOT's task was to help the economy take off smoothly, he said. "It's a challenge for monetary policy to release the accelerator pedal appropriately and timely so that the recovery has good momentum," Piti said, referring to the current … [Read more...] about Thai central bank says policy tightening will not disrupt economy recovery
Flood-hit Indian states brace for more monsoon rains, 532 killed
A flood-affected man carrying a luggage wades through a flooded road as he moves to a safer place after heavy rains in Nagaon district, Assam, India, June 21, 2022. - A + A (June 27): India’s flood-hit areas are forecast to receive heavy rains this week, with 532 people losing their lives so far across the nation during the monsoon season and hundreds of thousands staying in temporary relief camps. The northeastern state of Assam has been among the worst-hit regions, with rains affecting 2.5 million people, destroying homes and infrastructure, and delaying sowing of crops such as rice. Drowning and landslides have killed 121 people in the state alone since April 6, according to a home ministry bulletin. Monsoon rains cause the death of hundreds of people in India every year, but the rainy season has been particularly devastating for the hilly states of Assam and Himachal Pradesh this year. About 233,000 people are still in relief camps, with over two dozen teams … [Read more...] about Flood-hit Indian states brace for more monsoon rains, 532 killed
Hong Kong exports post surprise fall on China curbs, global woes
- A + A (June 27): Hong Kong’s exports surprisingly declined in May as trade with China continued to face disruptions from Covid and other global headwinds stalled momentum. Overall exports slid 1.4% last month from a year earlier, reversing April’s 1.1% gain, the Census and Statistics Department said Monday. Economists had expected an improvement of 4.3%. Imports rose 1.3% in May from a year earlier, also worse than economists’ forecast of a 4.8% expansion. The trade deficit was HK$36.7 billion (US$4.7 billion), worse than estimates and the fourth straight month the city has recorded a deficit. May’s decline in exports comes after an unexpected uptick improvement in April, when exports to China were still falling but not as severely as in March. This time around, trade with China fell 10.1%, worse than April’s 9.4% drop, the statistics bureau said. The decline in the value of exports was attributed to “increasing headwinds” faced by the global economy, the … [Read more...] about Hong Kong exports post surprise fall on China curbs, global woes