Forex News

Yesterday Chilean central bank increased its interest rate by 0.25 basis points up to 6.0%. It was the first rate hike in Chile since September 13 this year.

The Central Bank of Chile will be releasing its statement with the target interest rate. The current interest rate is maintained at 5.75% after three rate hikes by 0.25% going in a row from July to September 2007. Majority of the analysts surveyed about the forthcoming rate decision agree that the Chilean interest rate will remain at the same level.

Indian rupee ended the start of the week with falling to 39.41 against the U.S. dollar making it the first rupee’s bearish close after two days of growth. The rupee sellout was caused by the rumor of the Reserve Bank of India intervention in the country’s Forex market.

New Zealand dollar rose against all other major currencies after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand left the Official Cash Rate (OCR) - short-term lending interest rate - unchanged at 8.25%. And as it was hinted by Bank Governor Alan Bollard the rate is not likely to be lowered until 2009.

Bank of Canada lowered overnight interest rate by 0.25% to 4.25% today during its scheduled meeting; this interest rate will be used until at least the next such meeting which will be held on January 22, 2008.

Fukushiro Nukaga, Japanese Minister of Finance, joined the “league” of European and U.S. officials in their endeavor to convince Chinese government to take more definite actions aimed towards yuan’s free exchange rate.

Li Yang, an ex-adviser of the People’s Bank of China, suggests a great care in handling any changes to the country’s foreign currency reserves (world’s largest), that are currently composed mainly of U.S. dollars. By the Li’s words, it’s not reasonable to change the vast amount of current reserves, but the new income that goes to the reserves can be exchanged to other currencies.

Chinese yuan will definitely see a some kind of revaluation against dollar and other major currencies soon. Jean-Claude Trichet spoke today about his latest endeavor to convince China government to make confident steps towards stronger yuan policy. From his words the Chinese central bank understands the concerns of their trade partners and the steps will be done eventually to make yuan less depreciated.

Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, confirmed yesterday that his vision of latest CAD’s fast and strong appreciation against USD coincides with the opinion stated by Canada’s Financial Minister Jim Flaherty. The surprisingly high strengthening of Canadian currency bears highly speculative nature and is essentially harmful to the Canada’s economy.

Indian currency ended at its lowest rate against U.S. dollar on Friday, being on its weakest since October 23. USD/INR closed on 39.71 level yesterday, after international investors and global corporations were moving out their funds out of Indian currency.