Bank of Japan (BoJ) Board Member Hajime Takata said on Thursday that central bank must conduct further rate hikes in gradual manner.

Australia Private Capital Expenditure registered at 0.4% above expectations (0%) in 4Q

New Zealand ANZ Business Confidence dipped from previous 64.1 to 59.2 in February

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that Iran poses a very grave threat to the United States and has for a very long time. Rubio added that talks Thursday will focus on the nuclear programme.

TD Securities strategists expect Chinese authorities to keep USD/CNY volatility low through the 2026 Two Sessions, while not resisting Chinese Yuan strength.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Wednesday that goods US inflation has been somewhat affected by tariffs.

Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Thursday that the the basic stance is to continue raising interest rates if the likelihood of our economic, price forecasts materialising heightens. 

Brown Brothers Harriman’s (BBH) Elias Haddad reports USD/THB has bounced from key support at 31.00 after the Bank of Thailand unexpectedly delivered a second consecutive 25 bps rate cut to 1.00%.

TD Securities analysts expect Premier Li to unveil a 4.5–5.0% GDP target range for 2026 at the Two Sessions, alongside a broad budget deficit near 9% of GDP. Policymakers are seen prioritizing domestic demand, with continued targeted consumer stimulus.

OCBC strategists Sim Moh Siong and Christopher Wong note recent RMB strength as USD/CNY fell sharply after holidays, tracking a heavy USD/CNH. The move reflects a softer Dollar, better risk sentiment and perceived policy tolerance for RMB appreciation.

St. Louis Federal Reserve (Fed) President Alberto Musalem claimed that inflation is almost a full percentage point above the Fed’s target, and the labor market is cooling in an orderly way, speaking before the Missouri Athletic Club Speaker Series on Wednesday.

ING’s Frantisek Taborsky reports that NBP Governor Glapinski and council member Litwiniuk signalled inflation near the 2.5% target and room for further easing, with rates potentially falling to 3.50%. Markets, however, price a lower 3.25% terminal rate.

United States 5-Year Note Auction fell from previous 3.823% to 3.615%

Commerzbank’s Tatha Ghose reports that Hungary’s MNB has started an easing cycle with a 25 bp cut to 6.25%, justified by improved inflation dynamics and stable markets.

Federal Reserve (Fed) President of the Bank of Kansas City Jeffrey Schmid said on Wednesday that the Fed system has layers of independence and that politics do not enter Fed policy debates.

Nordea’s Torbjörn Isaksson notes that Swedish January CPIF and CPIF ex energy matched flash estimates, but services inflation surprised on the downside. Core services prices fell more than expected, raising concerns for the Riksbank.

BNP Paribas, citing the ECB Bank Lending Survey, notes that Eurozone banks plan a somewhat stronger tightening of credit standards for households than for corporations in 2026, mainly due to higher regulatory capital and liquidity requirements under CRR3 and the output floor.

Mexico Current Account, $ (QoQ) registered at $7702M, below expectations ($11520M) in 4Q

Mexico Accumulated Current Account/GDP increased to 1.6% in 4Q from previous 0.49%

DBS Group Research highlights that Boston Fed President Susan Collins signalled US interest rates are likely to stay on hold, describing policy as mildly restrictive with inflation still above 2%. Futures have pushed the expected first rate cut to September.

TD Securities’ Global Strategy Team highlights that Australia’s January CPI remained elevated, with both headline and trimmed mean inflation above consensus.

Standard Chartered economist Christopher Graham notes that the European Parliament has paused ratification of the EU-US trade deal as it seeks clarity on new US tariffs.

ABN AMRO Senior Economist Rogier Quaedvlieg argues that under Kevin Warsh, the Federal Reserve’s ‘conviction-based’ approach and a more dovish reaction function point to lower rates despite a bullish US outlook.

United States MBA Mortgage Applications down to 0.4% in February 20 from previous 2.8%

China commerce ministry expresses willingness to work with the United States (US) during European trading hours on Wednesday. The ministry added Beijing has fulfilled necessary obligations required to fulfil the first phase of the agreement.

ING’s Senior Economist Min Joo Kang argues that the Bank of Japan will keep basing rate decisions on data despite a slightly more dovish board tilt and government pressure.

Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock spoke at the Melbourne University Faculty of Economics & Business Foundation Dinner, Melbourne, on Wednesday.

Austria UniCredit Bank Manufacturing PMI rose from previous 47.2 to 49.4 in February

MUFG’s Head of Research Derek Halpenny notes that recent BoE testimony nudged front-end UK yields slightly higher and briefly supported the Pound, but policymakers signalled a finely balanced March decision.

Rabobank Senior Global Strategist Michael Every reviews President Trump’s State of the Union remarks, highlighting policy ideas on tariffs, healthcare subsidies, AI datacentre electricity pricing, retirement schemes, voting ID and a new War on Fraud.