EUR/USD
1.17379
-0.072%
Gold
4312.93
0.245%
Oil
55.668
1.141%
USD/JPY
154.987
0.180%
GBP/USD
1.34066
-0.094%
GBP/JPY
207.789
0.092%
Real-time News
December 17th - According to economist Alicia Garcia Herrero, the continued weakness of the yen is becoming a decisive factor in the Bank of Japan and the Japanese governments agreement this month to support the long-awaited interest rate hike. Despite concerns about US tariffs and broader geopolitical risks, the Japanese economy has proven more resilient than expected. Short-, medium-, and long-term inflation expectations remain above the Bank of Japans 2% target, strengthening the case for further policy normalization. Food prices have pushed up core inflation, and the yens continued weakness against the dollar around 155 could exacerbate imported inflation pressures. Herrero expects the Bank of Japan to raise the policy rate by 25 basis points to 0.75% at its meeting on December 19th. Looking ahead, if the yen fails to stabilize after the rate hike and continues to drag down real income, the Japanese government may also accept further tightening of policy, potentially opening the door to another 25 basis point rate hike early next year.On December 17th, the Economic Times of India reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Apple is in preliminary talks with several Indian chip manufacturers regarding the assembly and packaging of iPhone components. The report stated that this marks the first time Apple has considered assembling and packaging some chips in India; however, it is unclear which chips will be packaged at its Sanand factory in Gujarat, though it is likely display chips. Apple has already held talks with CG Semi, a subsidiary of the Murugappa Group. CG Semi is building an Outsourced Semiconductor Packaging and Testing (OSAT) facility in Sanand.Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that the launch of the H3 rocket, originally scheduled for Wednesday, has been cancelled due to a facility malfunction.Due to an emergency, the launch of the H3 rocket carrying the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agencys Michibiki 5 satellite system has been postponed.The Venezuelan government stated that US President Trumps blockade was "completely irrational" and violated free trade and freedom of navigation.
