Core Viewpoint - Tokyo's inflation in November exceeded expectations, indicating a potential steady progression of interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan in the coming months [1][13][21]. Inflation Data - The core Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Tokyo rose by 2.8% year-on-year in November, surpassing the Bank of Japan's target of 2% and slightly above the forecast of 2.7%, remaining unchanged from the previous month [4][21]. - Food prices, excluding fresh produce, increased by 6.5%, marking the third consecutive month of slowing growth [6][21]. - Energy prices rose by 2.6%, with electricity costs up 4.5% year-on-year and city gas prices up 0.7% [7][21]. Economic Indicators - Retail sales in Japan for October increased by 1.7% year-on-year, exceeding the expected 0.8% [10]. - Industrial output for October showed a preliminary month-on-month increase of 1.4%, against an expected decline of 0.6% [11]. - The unemployment rate remained stable at 2.6%, aligning with expectations [12]. Government and Monetary Policy - The Japanese government plans to implement an economic stimulus package exceeding 20 trillion yen to address rising living costs [13]. - The government is expected to issue approximately 11.7 trillion yen (about 529.9 billion RMB) in new bonds to cover the spending gap from the stimulus plan [14]. - Analysts from Goldman Sachs suggest that the impact of this large-scale fiscal stimulus may be "far below expectations" [14]. Market Expectations - The recent inflation data is likely to bolster the Bank of Japan's confidence in raising interest rates [17]. - Market speculation regarding a potential interest rate hike in December has intensified, driven by the ongoing tight labor market and core inflation rates expected to remain above 3% [21][22].

Group 1 - Tokyo's November inflation rate remains stable, with the core consumer price index (CPI) excluding fresh food rising by 2.8% year-on-year, driven by increased electricity costs, slightly above economists' median estimate of 2.7% [1] - The core CPI, excluding energy, also increased by 2.8%, while service prices, a key indicator of inflation sustainability, rose by 1.5% year-on-year [1] - The data serves as a leading indicator for national price trends, potentially boosting the Bank of Japan's confidence in its economic outlook and increasing speculation about a rate hike in December [1] Group 2 - The head of Japan's largest labor union, Tomoko Yoshino, urged the government to take more measures against inflation, as the weak yen may cause inflation to persist above nominal wage growth, with real wages declining for nine consecutive months [2] - Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced a new economic stimulus package totaling 17.7 trillion yen (approximately 113 billion USD), focusing on utility subsidies and gasoline tax cuts to address rising living costs [2] - Estimates suggest that these measures could directly lower Japan's core CPI by 0.38 percentage points next year [2]

Core Insights - The market anticipates that the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates by 25 basis points in December, but political factors could delay this until January [1] - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida advocates for a loose monetary policy and desires close coordination between the government and the central bank [1] - The cautious stance of the Bank of Japan may lead to a decision to wait until the budget proposal is passed by the Diet before implementing a rate hike [1] - Delaying the rate increase would also provide the Bank of Japan with additional time to assess the momentum of the upcoming wage negotiations [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Chief Economist of the National Australia Bank, Sally Olds, assesses that if economic growth accelerates and the labor market tightens, the Reserve Bank of Australia may need to raise interest rates as early as the first half of 2026 [1] Economic Conditions - Australia is currently at full employment, with economic growth expected to return to trend levels next year [1] - Olds estimates the trend growth rate to be approximately 2.25% [1] Inflation and Monetary Policy - Due to minimal idle capacity, it is unlikely that the economy can sustain growth above trend without putting upward pressure on prices and wages [1] - Any acceleration in growth and/or tightening of the labor market may compel the Reserve Bank of Australia to consider the necessity of interest rate hikes [1]

Group 1: Currency Depreciation and Economic Impact - The Japanese yen has weakened significantly against the US dollar, dropping below 157.9, marking a 10-month low, with a nominal effective exchange rate reaching 71.4, close to intervention levels from July 2024 [1] - Since the election of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the yen has depreciated approximately 6% [1] - The depreciation of the yen is linked to rising government bond yields, with the 10-year yield reaching 1.825%, the highest since the 2008 financial crisis, and the 20-year and 40-year yields hitting 2.853% and 3.747%, respectively [1] Group 2: Fiscal Policy and Debt Concerns - The Japanese cabinet approved a supplementary budget of 21.3 trillion yen for fiscal year 2025, the highest since the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns about increasing government debt and its sustainability [2] - Japan's government debt as a percentage of GDP has exceeded international warning levels, and the stimulus plan will require additional bond issuance, further inflating the debt burden [2] - Japan's GDP contracted by 0.4% in Q3, marking the first economic shrinkage in six quarters, which raises doubts about the yen's strength [2] Group 3: Inflation and Monetary Policy Signals - The depreciation of the yen has led to increased import prices, contributing to domestic inflation, with the core CPI rising 3.0% in October, remaining above the 2% target for 50 consecutive months [3] - Despite the inflationary pressures, the Bank of Japan has maintained a policy interest rate of 0.5%, citing economic weakness as a constraint on rate hikes [3] - Recent comments from Bank of Japan officials indicate a shift towards a more hawkish stance, suggesting that discussions on the feasibility and timing of interest rate hikes are forthcoming [4][5] Group 4: Global Financial Implications - The significant depreciation of the yen may negatively impact global liquidity, as the yen has been used as a funding currency for investments in higher-yielding assets like US Treasuries and equities [2] - The potential for a rate hike by the Bank of Japan is influenced by the Federal Reserve's decisions, with a stable or rising US interest rate potentially exacerbating yen depreciation [5]

Core Viewpoint - The Bank of Japan is signaling a potential interest rate hike as early as next month, responding to concerns over the depreciation of the yen and diminishing political pressure to maintain low rates [1][2]. Group 1: Bank of Japan's Shift in Stance - The Bank of Japan has shifted its focus from concerns about the U.S. economy to the inflation risks posed by a weakening yen, indicating that a rate hike in December remains a possibility [1]. - There is an internal consensus among more Bank of Japan officials that the trend of a weaker yen could have a greater impact on inflation than previously thought [1][2]. Group 2: Support for Rate Hike - An increasing number of Bank of Japan policy board members believe that the conditions for a rate hike are maturing, with comments from board member Junko Koeda emphasizing the need to raise real interest rates due to strong price levels [2]. - Another board member, Kazuo Ueno, stated that the timing for a rate hike is "approaching," which has led to a rise in 5-year government bond yields to a 17-year high [2]. Group 3: Market Reactions and Future Expectations - Analysts note that the Bank of Japan is intentionally signaling to the market to prepare for a potential rate hike in December, ensuring that the market is not caught off guard [3]. - The Bank of Japan is increasingly recognizing that currency fluctuations may have a more lasting impact on prices, which is a critical factor in their decision-making regarding the timing of interest rate increases [3].

英国路透社周三(11月26日)最新发布独家报道称，消息人士称，日本央行正为最快可能在下个月加息的 情形向市场"打预防针"。随着对日元大幅贬值的担忧再度升温，以及要求央行维持低利率的政治压力减 弱，日本央行重新使用了此前偏鹰派的措辞。 (截图来源：路透社) 两位熟悉日本央行想法的人士对路透表示，过去一周日本央行在表述上的变化，已将焦点从稍早对美国 经济的担忧转回日元走软的通胀风险；这些言论意在提醒市场，12月加息仍是一个可能的选项。 这种重新回到鹰派立场的转向，也发生在上周首相高市早苗(Sanae Takaichi)与日本央行行长植田和男 (Kazuo Ueda)的一次关键会面之后。该会面似乎消除了新政府对加息的即时政治阻力。 受路透社报道影响，日元短线飙升，美元/日元急跌约55点，最低位于155.81。 越来越多的日本央行政策委员认为，加息条件已经成熟。日本央行审议委员小枝淳子(Junko Koeda)上周 表示，由于物价"相对强劲"，日本央行必须继续上调实际利率。 日本央行政策委员增野和之(Kazuyuki Masu)在上周六刊出的采访中称，加息时机正在"临近"——这一表 态推动周二5年期国债收益率升至17 ...

Monetary Policy Dilemma - TS Lombard 报告指出美联储面临人工智能 (AI) 带来的两难困境 [1] - 降息可能助长泡沫 [1] - 加息可能刺破经济繁荣 [1]

日本央行正向市场释放信号，最早可能在下月加息。 据路透社11月26日援引两位知情人士消息报道，日本央行在过去一周正在释放更加"鹰派"的信号，旨在提醒市场，12月加息仍是一个现实的选 项。而这一鹰派转向的背后，是上周日本央行行长植田和男与新任首相高市早苗举行的一次关键会议，该会议似乎消除了新政府对加息的直接政 治反对。 市场的反应立竿见影。受加息预期推动，日本10年期国债收益率飙升至1.821%。此前，因一位理事会成员的鹰派言论，5年期国债收益率已触及 17年高位。一项调查显示，略过半数的经济学家预计日本央行将在12月18日至19日的会议上加息。 尽管最终决定是在12月还是明年1月行动仍是"一线之差"，且很大程度上取决于美联储的利率决策，但日本央行官员近期的表态反映出一种日益增 长的共识：疲软的日元已成为一种趋势，其推高通胀的风险比以往任何时候都大。 行情显示，近日日元兑美元持续走弱，已经跌至"干预"预警水平——155附近。 日本财务大臣片山皋月上周表示，她对日本央行的加息路径"没有特别的反对意见"。植田和男在与首相会晤后也表示，首相似乎已经认可了央行 逐步加息以引导通胀平稳迈向2%目标的计划。 三菱日联摩根士 ...

据报道，日本央行前理事门间一夫表示，日元近期走软提升了日本央行下月加息的可能性。 ...