Singapore left its monetary policy settings unchanged for a third straight review, while raising its forecast for inflation in a signal that its next move may be a tightening https://t.co/5wSkQ2QhEU ...

The bank's monetary policy committee kept the nation's benchmark rate at 15%, while indicating it may start cutting at its next meeting in March. ...

JONATHAN: FOR THE AUDIENCE WORLDWIDE, GOOD AFTERNOON. THE FED DECIDES STARTS RIGHT NOW. >> THIS IS A SPECIAL EDITION OF "BLOOMBERG SURVEILLANCE." WITH JONATHAN FERRO, LISA ABRAMOWICZ AND TOM KEENE."BLOOMBERG SURVEILLANCE: THE FED DECIDES." JONATHAN: HERE WE GO AGAIN. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2026 THE RATE DECISION FROM THE FOMC 27 MINUTES AWAY. 30 MINUTES AFTER THAT, A NEWS CONFERENCE WITH CHAIRMAN POWELL.IT IS FAIR TO SAY THE LEAST ANTICIPATED FED MEETING OF THE LAST 12 MONTHS. TOM: YOU HAVE TAKEN THE KOOL-AI ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The discussion primarily revolves around the U.S. economy and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, focusing on employment, inflation, and economic growth. Core Insights and Arguments - **Economic Growth**: The U.S. economy expanded at a solid pace, with consumer spending remaining resilient and business fixed investment continuing to grow. However, the housing sector has shown weakness [2][3]. - **Labor Market**: The unemployment rate was stable at 4.4%, with job gains averaging 22,000 per month in non-farm payrolls. Private payrolls increased by an average of 29,000 per month, indicating some stabilization in the labor market [2][3][10]. - **Inflation Trends**: Inflation has eased from its mid-2022 highs but remains elevated. The total PCE prices rose by 2.9% over the past year, while core PCE prices increased by 3.0%. The elevated inflation is largely attributed to the goods sector, influenced by tariffs, while disinflation is observed in the services sector [3][4][39]. - **Monetary Policy Stance**: The Federal Open Market Committee decided to maintain the federal funds rate target range at 3.5%-3.75%. This decision follows a cumulative reduction of 75 basis points over the previous three meetings, aimed at stabilizing the labor market and guiding inflation towards the 2% target [4][5]. - **Future Rate Adjustments**: The Fed is positioned to adjust the policy rate based on incoming data and evolving economic conditions. The committee emphasized a meeting-by-meeting approach to decision-making [5][27]. - **Tariff Impact**: The effects of tariffs on goods prices are expected to peak and then decline, contributing to a one-time price increase rather than ongoing inflation. The Fed anticipates that as tariff effects diminish, it may allow for policy loosening [39][81]. Additional Important Insights - **Consumer Sentiment**: There is a disconnect between consumer sentiment surveys, which indicate negative perceptions of the economy, and actual consumer spending data, which remains strong [70][75]. - **AI and Labor Market**: The impact of AI on the labor market is being closely monitored, with concerns that it may supplant entry-level jobs. However, technological advancements are also expected to increase productivity over time [76][77]. - **Fiscal Policy Concerns**: The U.S. federal budget deficit is on an unsustainable path, which could pose long-term risks to the economy. The Fed emphasizes the need for addressing fiscal challenges [57][58]. - **Geopolitical Risks**: Geopolitical risks, particularly related to energy prices, are acknowledged, but the current economic outlook remains stable despite global uncertainties [85][86]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, highlighting the current state of the U.S. economy, labor market dynamics, inflation trends, and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy approach.

The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady on Wednesday, formalizing a data-dependent approach to balancing the U.S. labor market against inflationary risks, amid ongoing White House pressure to accelerate monetary easing. The decision, which was widely expected, kept the federal funds rate at a target range of 3.50% to 3.75%. The move followed three consecutive 25-basis-point cuts late last year that had sought to engineer a “soft landing” for the economy. “Uncertainty about the economic ...

"Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, and the unemployment rate has shown some signs of stabilization," the post-meeting statement said. "Inflation remains somewhat elevated."In voting to hold the line, the committee also upped its assessment of economic growth. It also eased its concerns about the labor market as compared to inflation.Meeting market expectations , the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee voted to keep i ...

One thing we know is coming next is the first Fed decision of the year 2 p. m. Eastern today.The Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady and the decision comes as Chair Powell continues to face scrutiny from the White House. Michael McKee Bloomberg's international economics and policy correspondent joins us now, who's in Washington for the decision. Mike, what are you going to be looking out for in a meeting where we're likely to get no change.Yeah, well, we might get a news void at the Federal Reserve, ...

Market Overview - U.S. equity markets showed optimism due to potential monetary easing and concerns regarding economic growth and valuations [1] - Strong AI-related earnings and a rate cut by the US Federal Reserve in October contributed to early gains, although market sentiment cooled later in the quarter [1] - Value stocks outperformed growth stocks, returning 3.3% compared to 1.2% for the quarter [1] Fund Performance - The Meridian Contrarian Fund delivered a net return of 2.18% in the fourth quarter, underperforming the Russell 2500 Index's return of 2.22% and the Russell 2500 Value Index's return of 3.15% [1] Investment Focus - The firm is monitoring factors that may impact market returns, including changes in monetary policy with a new Fed Chair and the sustainability of AI investments due to high valuations among hyperscalers [1] - The firm emphasizes a systematic and consistent investment approach to identify opportunities in companies that can perform well regardless of macroeconomic conditions [1] Company Highlight: Dollar Tree, Inc. - Dollar Tree, Inc. is noted as a leading contributor to the fund, operating discount stores in the U.S. and Canada [2] - The stock of Dollar Tree, Inc. had a one-month return of -0.95% but gained 64.20% over the last 52 weeks, closing at $121.84 per share with a market capitalization of $24.851 billion on January 27, 2026 [2] Operational Insights on Dollar Tree, Inc. - Dollar Tree is the second-largest dollar store operator in the U.S., offering a mix of everyday needs and discretionary goods [3] - The fund initiated a position in Dollar Tree in spring 2025 following the sale of Family Dollar, which had previously distracted management from core operations [3] - The company demonstrated resilience by improving margins and sales, particularly during the holiday season, despite market uncertainties related to tariffs [3] - The renewed operational focus of Dollar Tree is expected to lead to significant earnings growth [3]

Group 1 - U.S. equity markets showed optimism due to potential monetary easing and strong AI-related earnings, but sentiment cooled later in the quarter [1] - Value stocks outperformed growth stocks, returning 3.3% compared to 1.2% for the quarter [1] - The Meridian Contrarian Fund delivered a return of 2.18%, underperforming the Russell 2500 Index's 2.22% and the Russell 2500 Value Index's 3.15% [1] Group 2 - Penguin Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:PENG) was highlighted as a leading relative detractor in the Meridian Contrarian Fund's fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter [2] - The one-month return for Penguin Solutions, Inc. was 1.02%, with a 52-week gain of 2.38% [2] - As of January 27, 2026, Penguin Solutions, Inc. stock closed at $19.76 per share, with a market capitalization of $1.039 billion [2] Group 3 - Penguin Solutions, Inc. is a diversified technology company involved in computing, memory, and LED industries [3] - The company was first invested in by the fund in 2020 following an earnings decline due to volatility in the memory business and order delays in high-performance computing [3]

27 January 2026 | 11:08PM HKT Economics Research China: PBOC Q4 Surveys: Lower loan demand, but slightly more willingness to consume and better employment sentiment Bottom line: PBOC released its Q4 surveys of bank loan officers, enterprises, and urban depositors on January 23. The latest data paint a mixed picture, with weakening credit demand and household price expectations but a marginal improvement in employment sentiment. PBOC's bank survey suggests loan demand fell in Q4, especially among large enter ...