This week has been wall-to-wall interest rate decisions. So far, we have had decisions from The US Federal Reserve, the Central Bank of the Philippines, The Bank of Indonesia, The Swiss National Bank, and The Norges Bank.
Although already passed, it would be imprudent not to gloss over perhaps the most important decision, from Bloomberg referred to as the Reserve Bank of the World, the US Federal Reserve.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) confirmed what the market was expecting; namely, the Federal Reserve would double the pace of its bond-buying taper, scheduling its completion for March of 2022. The one unexpected point in its announcement was its greater embrace of rate hikes, which it now thinks will occur thrice in 2022.
It will be interesting to see how the FOMC’s decision might be reflected in, or outright influence, the decision of other central banks, due for announcements this Thursday/Friday. There will be many opportunities to analyze this, with six major central banks releasing their respective decisions on Friday.
Six Interest Rate Decisions to prompt volatility this Friday
In order of release, we have announcement upcoming from The Central Bank of Turkey, The Bank of England, The European Central Bank, The Central Bank of Mexico, The Bank of Japan, and The Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
The Central Bank of Turkey (TCMB) perhaps presents the most interesting case, as the politicization of the bank’s decisions is far more explicit than any other. The Bank of England (BoE) and The Central Bank of Mexico (BdeM) are perhaps the next most interesting decisions to follow.
The Central Bank of Turkey
The lira is trading at an all-time low against the USD low as the TCMB implements an unorthodox monetary policy. The TCMB, under the influence of the Turkish president Tayyip Erdoğan, has been forced to cut interest rates while inflation in the country is running at 21%. In response, the Lira has depreciated 49% YTD.
The TCMB is expected to continue its unorthodox policy and another 100 basis point cut in its rate to 14%. Consequently, the Lira may slide past 15 Lira per USD, at least according to most options traders.
The Bank of England
Much has been written about the BoE’s imminent interest rate decision. Volatility could manifest in the GBP as half the market is expecting a rate hike, opening the possibility that some traders could be caught on the wrong side of a trade.
This can manifest regardless of the decision taken by the BoE. The bank’s hawkishness is under suspicion in the face of growing Omicron variant cases in the country.
The Central Bank of Mexico
The Mexican Peso strengthened after the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate/ tapering decision on Wednesday, appreciating by more than a percent in the proceeding hours.
The expectation for the BdeM is for a rate hike of 25 basis points. If it eventuates, it will constitute its fifth straight hike of this magnitude and bring the country’s benchmark rate to 5.25%.
Uncertainty regarding the direction the BdeM comes with its leadership change at the end of 2021. Although she does not control the bank's reins as yet, the new Governor, Victoria Rodriguez, is anticipated to take a relatively dovish stance in contrast to the outgoing Governor.
