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Central banks

Central banks
News about policymaking in the world’s major central banks with a focus on the People’s Bank of China, the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan and the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Gold is forecast to climb to between US$4,750 and US$5,500 an ounce by the end of 2026, according to State Street Investment Management. Photo: Reuters
Investing

Why gold may rebound 13% this year – and what could hold it back

Metal’s upside rests on central-bank demand and easing oil shock, but higher yields and AI spending may temper recovery, money managers say.

Yuan

Yuan poll finds 95% of overseas firms expect to sustain or boost use of currency

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Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

Hong Kong, Indonesia move towards direct transactions in yuan, rupiah

United States

Macroscope | Investors expecting a US interest rate rise could be in for a surprise

Rising bond yields are doing some of the Fed’s work, as are investor fears over the US central bank’s independence under Kevin Warsh.

US President Donald Trump (right) enjoys a light moment during the swearing-in ceremony for US Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, on May 22. Photo: Reuters
Yuan

‘Increasingly influential’ use of China’s currency puts euro on notice

The US dollar is still dominant, but a slump in Europe may see China’s currency gain strength and reach the No 2 spot in global settlements.

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Fifa World Cup 2026

Gold-laden World Cup trophy’s value surges 157% – how much is the bullion worth?

While priceless to players, all that shimmers in the iconic Fifa statue has seen its intrinsic value skyrocket amid a historic rally since the last tournament.

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China consumption

Gold slump: China’s sales plunge as precious metal’s price dips

While China’s interest in gold is unlikely to fade, investment-grade product sales have dwindled after 15 months of retail growth.

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Gold sales have slumped in China as the global spot price drops amid consumer caution and an unstable economic outlook. Photo: Getty Images
Banking & finance

Macroscope | Why bond yields are going up everywhere

Unlike stock markets, bond markets are signalling a more cognisant and mature appreciation of the state of government finances.

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South Korea

‘Transitory euphoria’: South Korea’s strong economic outlook masks key hurdles

The surge in demand for semiconductors is cyclical, while other sectors in the country are lagging, analysts say.

Yuan

For a yuan in deeper markets, Fed ex-head cites dollar playbook, flags risks

Meanwhile, surging costs are ‘likely to hit US inflation data a bit harder and perhaps longer’ than expected, according to the former central bank official.

US dollar and Chinese yuan notes are seen with national flags in the backdrop. Photo: Reuters
United States

US key inflation gauge worsens, eroding Americans’ income, spending power

Inflation of 3.8 per cent in April was the highest since May 2023 amid high petrol prices and food costs.

Supermarket shoppers in Chicago, the US earlier this month. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Gold continues decline as inflation fears outweigh hope of end to Iran war

The metal is down nearly 20 per cent from its all-time high in January as investors focus on the Federal Reserve’s plans to combat inflation.

United States

Warsh takes US Fed’s helm with inflation dilemma already unfolding

Trump’s pick to lead the central bank must contend with an economy roiled by the AI boom, as well as oil price and tariff shocks.

Bonds

Macroscope | Bond market sell-off raises stakes for Asia’s tech-driven economies

Stakes are high for Asia’s tech-driven economies amid a global sell-off in bond markets that signals investor fears.

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A currency trader talks on the phone near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index and the foreign exchange rate between the US dollar and South Korean won at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on May 20. Photo: AP
Yuan

China’s yuan hits 3-year high as global banks issue bullish forecasts

Beijing has set the yuan at its strongest level against the US dollar since early 2023, with banks projecting further appreciation.

Beijing has set the Chinese yuan at its strongest level against the US dollar since February 2023. Photo: Shutterstock
Yuan

As the world retreats from US Treasuries, will the sell-off deepen?

China is one of several nations trimming their exposure to US debt, as inflation drives Treasury yields to levels not seen since 2007.

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Yuan

China’s US Treasuries slump may not be what it seems

A reduction in China’s direct holdings of US government debt may be partly offset by the nation holding Treasuries via third parties.

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Yuan

China joins global sell-off of US Treasuries in March as Iran war prompts panic

Seven of the top 10 foreign holders cut their exposure to US government debt, led by Japan, which offloaded US$47.7 billion.

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Mainland Chinese investors are among seven of the top 10 foreign holders to cut their exposure to US government debt, triggered by uncertainty around the war in Iran. Photo: AFP
China-Latin America relations

How a US$5 billion Chinese lifeline to Argentina shrank to almost nothing

Central bank records show the swap balance fell to US$675 million as Washington pressed Buenos Aires to wind it down.

Banking & finance

Stephen Miran, Trump’s economic guru, is leaving the Fed. What happens now?

Miran quit his job as a Trump economic adviser to join the US Federal Reserve board, where he became known as a vocal dove.

United States

Warsh confirmed as Fed chair, as US central bank faces Trump assault

He is taking over as the world’s largest economy reels from repeated shocks, including inflation fuelled in part by the Iran war.

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Kevin Warsh testifies during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on his nomination on Capitol Hill in April. Photo: AFP
United States

US Senate confirms Trump pick Kevin Warsh to Federal Reserve Board

The decision clears the way for Warsh to take over the role of Fed chair from Jerome Powell later this week.

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Kevin Warsh testifies before a Senate Banking Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in April. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

Trump’s pick for Fed chair says he’ll stay independent. Does he mean it?

Kevin Warsh said at a confirmation hearing he would not become the US president’s ‘human sock puppet’, but concerns over interference persist.

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Banking & finance

Macroscope | Australia’s interest rate rise signals growing hawkish stance in Asia

Reserve Bank of Australia is less an outlier than a harbinger of global monetary trends in the wake of war-induced supply shocks.

Yuan

China sets yuan at strongest level in 3 years as US dollar jitters simmer

Beijing is pushing for a stronger yuan to help globalise the currency, but the upswing could create issues for the country’s export giants.

The Chinese yuan has steadily strengthened against the US dollar in recent months. Photo: Shutterstock
The Philippines

Middle East conflict pushes Philippine inflation to 3-year high

Higher fuel, food, transport and utility costs forced inflation to 7.2 per cent last month, the highest since March 2023.

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A man scops up food at a canteen in Manila on April 7. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

Hong Kong Exchange Fund records smallest gain in 5 quarters amid market slump

The war chest used to defend the city’s currency takes a hit as conflicts in Middle East prompt investors to move from stocks to safer assets.

Asean

Why Singapore, Thailand are among the world’s ‘happiest’ economies

Southeast Asian countries outdid larger economies in the 178-nation Hanke’s Annual Misery Index for 2025.

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