Japan’s helping hand in BoE June rate cut window

Money markets see a 90% chance of an ECB move next month, but less than a 50% chance of a June BoE cut. — Reuters

TOKYO: If worries about sterling were a factor preventing the Bank of England (BoE) cutting interest rates too far ahead of the US Federal Reserve (Fed), then Japan’s US dollar-selling intervention may, weirdly, help keep its options open.

Britain’s central bank announces its latest policy decision today. While its unlikely to change British base rates this week, there’s speculation about whether it may guide markets towards a cut as soon as next month – just two weeks after a widely flagged move from the European Central Bank (ECB) on June 6.