Analysis: Currencies

Options tilt most in favour of Indian rupee in over a decade after heavy RBI intervention

MUMBAI -The Indian central bank's aggressive foreign exchange market intervention on Wednesday has sparked a positive shift in sentiment on the rupee in the options market, with a key volatility skew...

South African rand steady amid safe-haven rush on US-China strains

JOHANNESBURG -The South African rand was steady in early trade on Thursday as safe havens like gold - which renewed a record high - became appealing amid trade frictions between Beijing and...

India central bank deployed $5 billion life jacket to aid struggling rupee, bankers estimate

MUMBAI, October 16 -The Reserve Bank of India is estimated to have sold $3 billion to $5 billion in spot and non-deliverable forward markets to support the rupee on Wednesday, traders said, marking...

Foreign money spurs wilder twists in Japan's sedate bond yield curve

TOKYO -A rush of foreign money into Japan's super-long-dated bonds is creating sharper shifts in the usually calm yield curve as recent political chaos and doubts over central bank rate hikes fan...

Bessent says US expects Japan to stop buying Russian energy

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that he told Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato that the Trump administration expects Japan to stop importing Russian energy. ...

Egypt poised to complete debt swap before end of 2025, minister says

WASHINGTON -Egypt is poised to complete another debt swap before the end of this year with its European partners, according to Planning Minister Rania al-Mashat, adding that more such transactions...

Greer, Bessent blast China's rare earths curbs, urge Beijing not to implement them

WASHINGTON -Top U.S. officials on Wednesday blasted China's major expansion of rare earth export controls as a threat to global supply chains, but said Beijing could still change course and avoid...

US retail sales likely rose in September; higher-income consumers drive growth

WASHINGTON -U.S. retail sales excluding motor vehicles and parts likely posted further gains in September, data from the Chicago Federal Reserve showed on Wednesday, though part of the rise probably...

US economic activity little changed, employment stable in recent weeks, Fed says

U.S. economic activity was little changed and employment was largely stable in recent weeks, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday, but there were emerging signs of weakness including more layoffs...

Global debt tops G20 agenda, South African central bank chief says

WASHINGTON/JOHANNESBURG -South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago warned on Wednesday that rising global debt poses a risk to financial stability. The Financial Stability...

Bessent says yen will find its own level if Bank of Japan follows 'proper' policy

WASHINGTON -U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday the yen will find its own level if the Bank of Japan follows proper monetary policy. Bessent made the remarks to...

Bessent says he plans to present Fed chief candidates to Trump in December

WASHINGTON -U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday said he plans to present three or four candidates to be the next leader of the Federal Reserve to President Donald Trump for him to...

'Made in Argentina' factories shutter, creating more challenges for Milei

By Nicolás Misculin BUENOS AIRES -For decades, Lumilagro rode to prosperity on the popularity of its signature steel or glass thermoses Argentines use to carry hot water to make mate,...

Data darkness in US spreads a global shadow

TOKYO/WASHINGTON -The U.S. government shutdown that has turned off the official flow of data could begin clouding the view for policymakers in Japan and other countries where insight into the...

India central bank's heavy hand returns to support rupee in replay of February defence

MUMBAI -The Reserve Bank of India intervened heavily in the currency market on Wednesday to shore up the rupee, traders said, adding the move was straight from the central bank's script defending the...

Asian equities draw inflows in September on Fed rate cut outlook, AI optimism

Asian equities saw strong inflows in September, boosted by the U.S. Federal Reserve's first rate cut in nine months, expectations of further easing this year, and a weaker dollar that lifted demand...

South African rand slips ahead of local data releases

JOHANNESBURG -The South African rand was weaker in early trade on Tuesday, as investors waited for the release of domestic economic indicator data due later in the day. At 0749 GMT the...

Sterling drops after UK data shows softer wage growth

LONDON -Sterling fell on Tuesday after data showed growth in average British earnings slowed slightly in the three months to August, suggesting the Bank of England may be able to continue cutting...

Currencies: Patience is a virtue

In the absence of macroeconomic statistics from the United States, due to the shutdown, investors seem to be taking their lumps, even if Donald Trump's outburst with China caused some turbulence at...