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In a widely expected decision, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) took another step along its monetary policy normalization path at this week’s meeting, raising its policy rate by 25 bps to 0.50%.
The BoJ also forecast underlying inflation to remain at or above its 2% inflation target over the medium term, in our opinion a strong signal of further tightening to come. Comments from Governor Ueda also leaned hawkish, as he said the current policy rate is still far from its “neutral” level, and that he was not considering some specific rate level as a barrier.
Against this backdrop, we continue to forecast a 25 bps rate hike to 0.75% at the BoJ’s April announcement. We now also forecast a final 25 bps rate increase to 1.00% in July, while acknowledging that the timing of that final rate hike could get pushed back depending on how local and global economic conditions evolve. Overall, we think the outlook for Bank of Japan tightening and eventual Fed easing could lead to a reasonably resilient yen through 2025, with more sustained and substantial yen weakness perhaps more likely in 2026 as the U.S. economy recovers.
In a widely expected decision, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) took another step along its monetary policy normalization path at this week’s meeting, raising its policy rate by 25 bps to 0.50%. In raising interest rates, the BoJ said growth and inflation have been developing generally in line with its forecasts, and also cited reasons for a firming in wage and price trends. The BoJ said:
There have been many views expressed by firms stating that they will continue to raise wages steadily in this year’s annual spring labor-management wage negotiations; and
With wages continuing to rise, there has been an increase in moves to reflect higher costs, such as increased personnel expenses and distribution costs, in selling prices.
The Bank of Japan also noted relative stability in global financial markets, saying “while attention has been drawn to various uncertainties, global financial and capital markets have been stable on the whole, as overseas economies have followed a moderate growth path.”
The Bank of Japan’s encouraging assessment of recent economic trends was also reinforced by upward revisions to its economic outlook. While the forecasts for GDP growth were little changed, there were some notable upward revisions to the central bank’s inflation forecasts. CPI ex-fresh food inflation is forecast at 2.7% for FY2024 (previously 2.5%), 2.4% for FY2025 (previously 1.9%) and 2.0% for FY2026 (previously 1.9%). In a similar vein, the outlook for CPI ex-fresh food and energy inflation was revised higher to 2.2% for FY 2024 (previously 2.0%), 2.1% for FY2025 (previously 1.9%) and 2.1% for FY2026 (unchanged). The forecast for Japan’s underlying inflation to remain at or above the central bank’s 2% inflation target over the medium term is, in our opinion, a strong signal of further tightening to come. The Bank of Japan indicated as much in its monetary policy announcement, saying that:
Given that real interest rates are at significantly low levels, if the outlook for economic activity and prices presented in the January Outlook Report will be realized, the Bank will accordingly continue to raise the policy interest rate and adjust the degree of monetary accommodation.
In addition to the Bank of Japan’s announcement, in our view, comments from Governor Ueda also point to multiple further rate hikes from the Bank of Japan over the balance of 2025. Ueda said he expected solid results from this year’s spring wage negotiations, a development we think would be supportive of another rate increase in April. Ueda also suggested global markets have been relatively calm in the initial days of President Trump’s administration. Interestingly, Ueda also said that even after this week’s rate increase, the current policy rate is still far from its “neutral” level, and that he was not considering some specific rate level as a barrier. He indicated that one BoJ analysis suggested the neutral rate could be somewhere between 1.00% and 2.50%. So long as overall economic trends remain encouraging, we view those comments as consistent with the BoJ eventually raising its policy rate to 1.00%, perhaps by its July announcement.
Regarding recent economic trends, labor cash earnings rose 3.0% year-over-year in November and expectations for this year’s spring wage talks are upbeat. Inflation also remains elevated, with CPI ex-fresh food inflation at 3.0% year-over-year in December. Sentiment surveys, most notably the Tankan survey, have generally improved in recent quarters, consistent with steadier economic growth ahead. While these encouraging economic trends remain in place, and with global economic conditions perhaps more benign during the early part of this year as the U.S. economy advances at a steady pace and with Fed policy on hold, we view these conditions as most conducive for further Bank of Japan rate hikes. Against this backdrop, we continue to forecast a 25 bps rate hike to 0.75% at the BoJ’s April announcement. We now also forecast a final 25 bps rate increase to 1.00% in July, while acknowledging that the timing of that final rate hike could get pushed back depending on how local and global economic conditions evolve. Overall, we think the outlook for Bank of Japan tightening and eventual Fed easing could lead to a reasonably resilient yen through 2025, with more sustained and substantial yen weakness perhaps more likely in 2026 as the U.S. economy recovers.
Sales of previously owned homes in the US rose for the third straight month in December, entering 2025 with some momentum after the worst year in nearly three decades.
Contract closings of existing homes last month increased 2.2% to an annualised rate of 4.24 million, the most since February, according to National Association of Realtors data released on Friday. That was in line with the estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg.
The third straight pickup in monthly sales — the longest streak since late 2021, when mortgage rates were less than half of where they are now — signals that homeowners and buyers alike have come to terms with borrowing costs around 7%. The new-home market also appears to be stabilising, providing some early signs of optimism for the new year.
“Home sales in the final months of the year showed solid recovery despite elevated mortgage rates,” NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said in a prepared statement.
However, for all of 2024, sales reached the lowest since 1995, when the US had about 70 million fewer people. It marked the third straight annual decline, stretches only ever seen in the 2006 housing crisis as well as the recessions around the early 1980s and 1990s.
“The prospects for this year look better, but not by much as the triple threat of high mortgage rates, high home prices and low supply will continue,” Robert Frick, corporate economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, said by email.
The median sale price, meantime, climbed 6% over the past 12 months to US$404,400 (RM1.8 million), reflecting more sales activity in the upper end of the market. That helped propel prices for the entire year to a record.
After slowly creeping up for months, inventory dropped 13.5% in December from the prior month — which is typical at the end of the year. It’s still up 16.2% from December 2023.
There was hope that 2024 could be a turning point for the housing market as the Federal Reserve started cutting interest rates. But mortgage rates track government bond yields, which rose nearly a full percentage point towards the end of the year after inflation proved stubborn, fueling concerns that officials eased policy too soon. They’re expected to keep rates steady at next week’s meeting.
Treasury yields are still elevated as investors brace for the cost of President Donald Trump’s policies and price pressures are cooling only somewhat. That’s projected to keep mortgage rates on average above 6% through at least 2027, according to some estimates.
In December, 53% of homes sold were on the market for less than a month, unchanged from November, while 16% sold for above the list price. Properties stayed on the market for 35 days on average, compared with 32 days in the previous month.
Existing-home sales account for the majority of the US total and are calculated when a contract closes. The government will release figures on new-home sales on Monday.
Separate data on Friday showed US business activity cooled this month on a slowdown in services, while consumer sentiment declined due to concerns about unemployment and potential tariffs’ impact on inflation.
Gold price extended its weekly gains, poised to challenge the all-time high of $2,790 rather sooner than later. Comments by United States (US) President Donald Trump could be the catalyst that pushes the yellow metal higher, though he surprised traders as he might refrain from imposing duties on Chinese products. The XAU/USD trades at $2,772, up 0.60%.
The market mood shifted slightly negatively even though Trump has eased the trade policy rhetoric against allies and adversaries. US economic data on Friday hinted that manufacturing activity improved in December, according to S&P Global, while Consumer Sentiment deteriorated, reported the University of Michigan (UoM) final survey for January.
However, Trump’s harsh rhetoric is not limited to the trade deficit. At the World Economic Forum (WEF) he added that he would demand lower interest rates.
After his remarks, the Greenback tumbled and remains on the defensive, as seen by the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the American currency's value against a basket of six currencies. It edges down 0.62% to 107.44.
The buck is set to end the week with losses of 1.77% in the first week of US President Donald Trump in office.
Next week, the US economic docket will feature the release of Durable Goods Orders, the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures and the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index.
Gold price rose ignoring the advance of real yields. Measured by the 10-year Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), yield sits at 2.23%, up by one and a half basis points (bps).
The US 10-year Treasury bond yield slides two bps during the day at 4.625%.
US S&P Global Manufacturing PMI for December improved from 49.4 to 50.1, above estimates of 49.6. Meanwhile, the Services PMI dipped from 56.8 to 52.8, missing forecasts of 56.5
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Final forJanuary expanded by 71.1, below estimates of 73.2 and the preliminary reading of 74.0.
Existing Home Sales in December rose by 2.2% MoM, from 4.15 million to 4.24 million.
Market participants are pricing in near-even odds that the Fed will cut rates twice by the end of 2025 with the first reduction occurring in June.
Gold price rally is set to extend but traders must clear the record high of $2,790. Despite this, the formation of a bullish candle with a small upper shadow indicates traders are not accepting higher prices. This is further confirmed by the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which has turned overbought.
XAU/USD must surpass the all-time high (ATH) at $2,790 for a bullish continuation. Once cleared, the next resistance would be $2,800, followed by key psychological levels exposed at $2,850 and $2,900.
Conversely, if bears drag Bullion prices below the $2,750 figure, the 50 and 100-day Simple Moving Averages (SMAs) emerge as support levels, each at $2,656 and $2,653. If surpassed, up next lies the 200-day SMA at $2,520.
Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government.
Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves.
Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal.
The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.
Bitcoin hodlers continuing to accumulate during price declines, along with short-term holders buying more during price surges driven by FOMO (fear of missing out), sets a “bullish tone” for 2025, according to a crypto analyst.
Long-term Bitcoin (BTC) hodlers (LTH) — those who have held their Bitcoin for more than 155 days — dominance “remains high, signaling strong long-term conviction,” CryptoQuant contributor IT Tech said in a Jan. 24 analyst note. He said:
“They continue to accumulate during price declines and strategically take profits during upward trends.”
Meanwhile, IT Tech said that Bitcoin short-term holders — those who have held their Bitcoin for less than 155 days — seem more confident about buying into the market’s upside momentum, making him more optimistic about Bitcoin’s price over the next 12 months.
He said that short-term holders jumping in most when Bitcoin’s price is on the rise signals they’re “FOMO-driven entries.”
“Short-term holders acting on speculation, sets a bullish tone for 2025,” he said.
Throughout January, Bitcoin has hovered around the psychological $100,000 price level, dipping below it a few times while briefly reaching a new all-time high above $109,000 on Jan. 20, just ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president.
At the time of publication, the average long-term holder's cost is $24,639 per Bitcoin, which represents the average hodler is in profit of more than four times that amount, as per Bitbo data.
Bitcoin’s current price is $104,390, as per CoinMarketCap data.
The short-term realized price is $90,541. Data from Checkonchain, a Bitcoin onchain analysis program, indicated that 80% of short-term holders were back in the profit bracket after BTC’s recovery above $100,000. Earlier this month, the STH supply in loss dropped to 65% before Bitcoin rebounded.
Meanwhile, IT Tech explained that occasional sell-offs by long-term holders shouldn’t be a cause for concern, as they can “create healthy pullbacks, offering opportunities for new accumulation,” he said.
According to a separate Jan. 24 analysis by CryptoQuant contributor “Crazzyblockk,” long-term holders are “largely avoiding significant selling, reinforcing a strong HODLing sentiment despite current market fluctuations.”
The analyst said that recent on-chain data revealed that only 18% of Bitcoin deposits into crypto exchange Binance come from long-term holders.
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