Hong Kong (AFP) – Asian stocks were mixed Tuesday as attention turned to crucial US inflation data that could play a pivotal role in the Federal Reserve’s decision-making on interest rates, with investors lowering their expectations for how many cuts it will deliver.
from France24
With consumer prices picking up in January and February, the jobs market still strong and the economy in rude health, traders have regularly tweaked their forecasts for monetary policy easing this year, and some are even contemplating no cuts before 2025.
Stocks surged in New York on Friday after closely watched March non-farm payroll figures came in way above estimates, with traders focusing on the tepid wage growth.
But a miss to the upside in this week’s consumer price index report could send shivers through markets, analysts warn.
“This upcoming release is arguably the most critical economic print of the year,” said Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management.