US markets fall ahead of tomorrow morning’s rate decision by the FOMC. The Bank of Japan is expected to hold rates today, German policy makers get ready to take on more debt, and Australian consumers reveal their lowest confidence so far this year.
In our bonus deep dive interview, ANZ Head of Australian Economics Adam Boyton explains what the Reserve Bank of Australia means when it says it will make ‘data dependent’ decisions.
5 things to know in 5 minutes:
US stocks fell again ahead of tomorrow’s Fed decision on interest rates. They remain worried about Donald Trump’s tariffs and US recessionary risks. ANZ Head of G3 Economics Brian Martin expects the FOMC to hold rates.
There are rates decisions in Japan and Indonesia today. ANZ Research expects Bank Indonesia to hold at 5.75%. ANZ FX Analyst Felix Ryan says the Bank of Japan also looks set to keep its benchmark at 0.5%.
ANZ Roy Morgan Australian Consumer Confidence fell to its lowest level in 2025 last week, and below where it sat before the RBA cut rates last month, says ANZ Economist Sophia Angala.
Germany is considering taking its foot off its debt brake, which could unleash over one trillion euros in investment and bolster European growth over the next decade, says Brian.
ANZ Head of FX Research Mahjabeen Zaman says confirmation of the easing of the debt brake would help bolster the euro.
Cheers,
Bernard
PS: Catch you tomorrow with previews of Australia’s February jobs market report and New Zealand’s Q4 GDP.
