Turkey: CBRT cuts policy rate by 100 basis points to 14% as expected

Eren Sengezer FXStreet

The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) announced on Thursday that it lowered its policy (one-week repo) rate by 100 basis points to 14% from 15%. This decision came in line with the market expectation.

Market reaction

With the initial market reaction, USD/TRY reached a new record high of 15.67 before retreating. As of writing, the pair was up 2.6% on the day at 15.17.

Key takeaways from policy statement

"Will follow interest rate cut decisions in 2022 Q1."

"Will monitor results of rate cuts in Q1."

"All aspects of the policy framework will be reassessed in order to create a foundation for a sustainable price stability."

"Decided to complete the use of the limited room to cut."

"The room left by supply side inflation factors has passed."

"Stability in general price level will foster macroeconomic stability and financial stability."

"This would create a viable foundation for investment, production and employment to continue growing in a healthy and sustainable way."

"Current account balance is expected to post a surplus in 2022."

"Strengthening of the improvement trend in current account balance is important for price stability objective, developments in commercial and consumer loans are closely monitored."

Author

Eren Sengezer

FXStreet

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

EUR/USD trims losses, flirts with the 1.1850 zone

EUR/USD is back on the back foot on Wednesday, slipping below the 1.1850 area as the US Dollar picks up some modest traction. The move comes as traders position ahead of a busy run of US data and the release of the FOMC Minutes. Adding to the pullback are reports that the ECB’s Lagarde may step down before completing her term.

GBP/USD flirts with daily highs near 1.3580

GBP/USD manages to set aside two consecutive daily declines and trades with slight gains in the 1.3580 zone on Wednesday. Cable’s uptick comes despite acceptable gains in the Greenback and easing UK inflation figures, which seem to have reinforced the case for a BoE rate cut in March.

Gold regains some shine, retargets $5,000 ahead of FOMC Minutes

Gold gathers fresh upside traction on Wednesday, leaving part of the weakness seen at the beginning of the week and refocusing its attention to the key $5,000 mark per troy ounce, all ahead of the release of the FOMC Minutes and despite the modest uptick in the US Dollar.

Pi Network rally defies market pressure ahead of its first anniversary

Pi Network is trading above $0.1900 at press time on Wednesday, extending the weekly gains by nearly 8% so far. The steady recovery is supported by a short-term pause in mainnet migration, which reduces pressure on the PI token supply for Centralized Exchanges. The technical outlook focuses on the $0.1919 resistance as bullish momentum increases.

Mixed UK inflation data no gamechanger for the Bank of England

Food inflation plunged in January, but service sector price pressure is proving stickier. We continue to expect Bank of England rate cuts in March and June. The latest UK inflation read is a mixed bag for the Bank of England, but we doubt it drastically changes the odds of a March rate cut.

Top 3 Price Prediction: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple face downside risk as bears regain control

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple remain under pressure on Wednesday, with the broader trend still sideways. BTC is edging below $68,000, nearing the lower consolidating boundary, while ETH and XRP also declined slightly, approaching their key supports.