American focus: the U.S. dollar exchange rate has risen sharply

The euro exchange rate fell sharply against the dollar after reaching maximum values, and updated with the session low. Note that in such a dynamic impact statement by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, who said that the U.S. economy remains under pressure from high unemployment and cuts in government spending, and too early tightening jeopardize its growth. In fact, the "premature tightening of monetary policy may lead to a temporary rise in interest rates, but also carries a significant risk of a potential slowdown or complete recovery and further fall in inflation," Bernanke said today in remarks prepared for the Joint Committee of Congress in Washington. Monetary policy has "substantial benefits," he said. Bernanke is the head of the most aggressive economic stimulus for the centenary history of the Federal Reserve in an effort to stimulate growth and reduce bloated unemployment rate which is 7.5%, which will complete the longest since the Great Depression of the recession. While, according to some, the labor market shows modest improvement, the Fed chief noted that "high levels of unemployment and under-utilization of labor resources is extremely costly."

The yen fell against the dollar, after it became known, the Bank of Japan left monetary policy unchanged and raised its forecast for growth in the national economy, despite the volatility in the financial markets and the risks associated with a slowing of growth in world GDP. Note that the monetary policy of the central bank aims to achieve the inflation target of 2%, with a focus on the Japanese authorities have focused monetary base. According to the published decision, the Bank of Japan will annually purchase government bonds of 60-70 trillion yen (603-704 billion dollars). These main lines have been confirmed in the course of the meeting. However, many economists have expressed the view that to achieve the inflation target within two years is not possible. While the decision on the policy was adopted unanimously, board member Takahide Kiut suggested that the central bank should promise to achieve the inflation target "in the medium and long term," and the current policy should be characterized as "intense action, the duration of the which is about two years" . This proposal was rejected by the other nine members of the board. The Bank of Japan did not mention the recent increase in yields on Japanese bonds, which alarmed the market. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the Bank of Japan raised its assessment of the economy the fifth month in a row, as it sees signs of consolidating the recovery. In a statement, the Bank of Japan noted that the economy "has stopped weakening and is showing some early signs of growth." Earlier, the Japanese government also increased the estimate of the economy, reflecting the improvement in economic conditions.

The pound fell against the dollar after the Bank of England published the minutes of its meeting of 8-9 May, in which all members of the MPC voted unanimously to maintain the interest rate at 0.5%. As for the question of continuing the program of asset purchases at £ 375 billion, the second consecutive month, 6 members of the MPC voted "for", while three voted against the policy. The head of the Central Bank Governor Mervyn King, Paul Fisher and David Miles, voted "no", chose to expand the program by 25 billion pounds up to £ 400 billion as stated in the report, "In general, the economic news this month can be viewed as favorable, and it is expected that by the end of the 2nd quarter of the economy by 0.7% higher than the expectations of the Committee, published three months ago." However, the monetary authorities have stressed that by historical standards, growth prospects remain unfavorable, and prevented the possibility of accelerating inflation and maintain CPI above 2% target over the next two years. Most MPC members do not consider it necessary to increase the incentive program after the expansion of QE in February. However, Mervyn King, Paul Fisher and David Miles said the new round of expansion of the program "will lead to an earlier normalization of the policy when the situation requires."

In addition, it was reported that retail sales in the UK fell unexpectedly in April. The volume of retail sales including automotive fuel, fell by 1.3% compared with the previous month, against the forecast unchanged. Sales excluding fuel fell by 1.4% compared with an expected 0.1% growth. With motor fuel sales rose 0.5% in April, in annual terms, while the expected 2% increase. Sales excluding fuel rose 0.2% compared with the previous year, the expected 1.8% growth.