HALISTER1: USD/JPY Vulnerable to Any Surprise BOJ Policy Tweak: Analysis

USD/JPY Vulnerable to Any Surprise BOJ Policy Tweak: Analysis

(Bloomberg) -- USD/JPY investors may be wary of getting caught off guard again by any year-end twist to BOJ policy given rising Japanese yields, Bloomberg strategist David Finnerty writes.
  • Yen particularly vulnerable to any spike higher given leveraged funds have a growing short position. CFTC data shows net shorts of 49,904 contracts in week ended Dec. 13, most this year
  • BOJ’s current policy is made up of combination of policy- rate balance at -0.1%, 10-yr JGB yield target around 0%, monetary expansion with central bank buying JGBs at annual pace of ~JPY80t
  • 10-yr yields have been caught up in rising yield curve tide in past month, climbing to 0.1% on Dec. 16, highest since Jan. 29
  • BOJ last week increased amount of longer-maturity bonds it purchased, which may have been an attempt to control steepening in that part of yield curve
  • Question for investors is whether BOJ will keep its 0% bond- yield target, which should be supportive of a stronger dollar; or will it adopt less accommodative policy and let yield float higher which may see yen rally
  • NOTE: David Finnerty is an FX strategist who writes for Bloomberg. The observations he makes are his own are not intended as investment advice.
Alert: HALISTER1
Source: BFW (Bloomberg First Word)

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UUID: 7947283

HALISTER1: Evidence of Corruption Paints Congo’s Leader Into a Corner

Evidence of Corruption Paints Congo’s Leader Into a Corner

Alert: HALISTER1
Source: NYT (New York Times)

People
Jeffrey Gettleman (New York Times Co/The)
Joseph Kabila (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Charles Taylor (Republic of Liberia)
John Kerry (United States Department of State)
Robert Mugabe (Republic of Zimbabwe)

Topics
Congo (Zaire)
Criminal Practice & Procedure

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UUID: 7947283

HALISTER1: Brazil’s Lula Faces 4th Trial Over Corruption Charges, G1 Says

Brazil’s Lula Faces 4th Trial Over Corruption Charges, G1 Says

(Bloomberg) -- A federal judge has indicted former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his son Luis Claudio Lula da Silva on charges of influence-trafficking, money-laundering and conspiracy, local newspaper G1 reported on Saturday.
  • Charges relate to irregularities in the purchase of 36 Gripen jet fighters by the Brazilian govt, according to a statement by the Federal Public Prosecutors’ Office
  • Case forms part of Operation Zelotes, an investigation into alleged manipulation at Brazil’s board of tax appeals
  • Two other business executives have also been indicted on the same charges
  • In an e-mailed statement to Bloomberg News, the Instituto Lula said that the ex-president “had nothing to do” with the choice and purchase of the planes
  • Luis Claudio offered his services to the consultancy that negotiated the contract, receiving the agreed compensation and with due payment of taxes, the statement added
  • The defense will show that Lula and his son “did not carry out any illicit act,” the statement said
  • NOTE: Lula now faces prosecution in four separate criminal trials
  • NOTE: A fifth set of charges was filed against him by public prosecutors on Thursday
Alert: HALISTER1
Source: BFW (Bloomberg First Word)

People
Luiz Inacio Da Silva (Federative Republic of Brazil)

Topics
Who's News - People

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UUID: 7947283