interest rate

New vehicle sales decline 17pc on high taxes, interest rates

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New vehicle sales decline 17pc on high taxes, interest rates

Sales of new vehicles in Kenya fell 17.66 percent in the first quarter of 2024, the sharpest drop in seven years. This decline was attributed to increased taxation, rising interest rates, and a weakened shilling. Dealers such as Isuzu, CFAO, and Simba Corporation have been struggling in a tough operating environment, with climbing interest rates and pending bills affecting demand. The Kenya Revenue Authority also increased duty on shipping cars into the country, further impacting sales. Isuzu East Africa and CFAO Motors Kenya, which control a significant portion of new vehicle sales, experienced declines in sales, while Simba Corp saw a modest increase. The falling demand for vehicles has also affected government revenues.

EUR shows strength amid ECB rate cut uncertainty

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EUR shows strength amid ECB rate cut uncertainty

The EURUSD pair is holding near 1.0900 in European trading due to investors’ higher risk appetite. The European Central Bank is expected to start reducing interest rates from the June meeting, but policymakers are divided over a rate-cut move in July. The focus will shift to the Eurozone and U.S. preliminary Purchasing Managers Index data for May. Fed policymakers are expected to maintain a hawkish stance on interest rates despite a decline in price pressures. New York Fed Bank President John Williams believes the monetary policy is in a good place and sees no need for changes at the moment.

US election will have big impact on global economy

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US election will have big impact on global economy

The US presidential elections are scheduled for November 2024 and are considered instrumental for the global economy due to the size of the US economy, the central role of the US dollar, and the country’s vast energy reserves and geopolitical importance.

Dollar bounces back

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Dollar bounces back

The USDJPY pair extended its recovery to 156.00 in Friday’s European trading as the Dollar rebounded strongly after the Fed ruled out expectations of rate cuts, despite an expected decline in the US Consumer Price Index data for April.

A hidden factor impacting gold, and it ain, ’t CPI

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A hidden factor impacting gold, and it ain, ’t CPI

Gold prices are fluctuating as traders speculate on a potential rate cut by the Federal Reserve in September. Inflation data in the US is showing signs of improvement, impacting the Fed’s monetary policy decisions. Smart money is paying attention to the shift from a dollar-denominated trade system, with countries like China and Russia increasing their gold reserves to support their currencies. The price of gold is approaching all-time highs and is expected to continue its upward trend as long as it stays above the 50-day simple moving average.

Here’s what the economy could look like with a Biden or Trump presidency

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Here's what the economy could look like with a Biden or Trump presidency

The text discusses the potential impact of a Biden or Trump presidency on the US economy. The analysis covers eight major economic categories, including domestic manufacturing, higher education, healthcare, housing, labor, taxes, tariffs, and trade. Biden and Trump have different plans and approaches to these economic categories based on their past records as president and their campaign promises. Biden focuses on issues like lowering prescription drug costs, investing in the future, supporting workers and small businesses, and ensuring fair taxation. Trump, on the other hand, has proposed plans such as protecting American car manufacturers, imposing tariffs on foreign-made cars, and focusing on fossil fuels. The text also highlights the differences in their views on student loan debt, healthcare, housing costs, labor unions, taxes, tariffs, and trade policies.

After soft U.S. CPI, is Fed rate cut wishful thinking?

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After soft U.S. CPI, is Fed rate cut wishful thinking?

Fact: Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell indicated that officials are in no rush to cut borrowing costs.

GBP extends upside on weaker dollar

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GBP extends upside on weaker dollar

The GBPUSD pair rose near 1.2688 due to weaker US CPI inflation data. Inflation in the US eased slightly in April, with the CPI rising 3.4% on a yearly basis. The softer inflation data raised the odds for a Fed rate cut in 2024, leading to a weaker dollar and supporting the GBPUSD pair. The UK employment data showed deteriorating job market conditions, and Bank of England policymakers are concerned about high service inflation potentially stalling progress in the disinflation process.

Dollar extends losing streak ahead of US CPI

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Dollar extends losing streak ahead of US CPI

The USDJPY pair dropped to 155.50 in early European trading as the US Dollar continues to weaken. Investors are confident that the Federal Reserve will start reducing interest rates from September. The US Consumer Price Index data for April is awaited to provide insight into the interest rate outlook. Economists expect Japan’s Q1 Gross Domestic Product to show a contraction.

ECB says stress in home loans manageable despite high rates, lax checks

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ECB says stress in home loans manageable despite high rates, lax checks

Stress in the euro zone market for home loans is considered manageable by the European Central Bank, despite higher interest rates and lax checks by some banks. The ECB reviewed the mortgage books of 37 euro zone banks and found deficiencies in how mortgages are originated. Specifically, the ECB found that some banks were not adequately weighing up risks before granting a mortgage, leading to concerns about borrowers being able to meet higher interest rates. Banks were also found to be taking more risks just before or when rates started rising. The ECB has asked banks to address these deficiencies, but overall, the banking sector’s response suggests a commitment to mitigating risks and maintaining stability in the residential real estate landscape.