BOJ Hike Odds Heat Up as Fed Hike Bets Cool Down
The Federal Reserve's rate hike bets have cooled down as US inflation data came in as expected, while Japan's Bank of Japan (BOJ) is still on track to raise rates.
US consumer price index (CPI) data for July didn't surprise, and a softer jobs report reduced the urgency for another Fed rate hike soon. This led traders to dial back the odds of a September hike in US interest rates.
In contrast, Japan's wholesale inflation rose 7.2% from a year earlier, indicating price pressure hasn't faded as quickly as the BOJ would like. This keeps a September BOJ hike in focus.
The difference in interest-rate expectations between the US and Japan may narrow, which could impact 'yen carry' trades. These trades involve borrowing in low-yielding yen and buying higher-yielding assets elsewhere.