Central Banks May Enter Synchronized Rate-Hike Phase, Economist Says

State Street Global Advisors’ Asia-Pacific economist Krishna Bhimavarapu said central banks may be moving into a phase of synchronized interest-rate increases, supported by stronger economic resilience and higher inflation. According to Jin10, Bhimavarapu said the Bank of Japan appeared ready to raise its policy rate to the psychologically important 1.0% level. He added that the Bank of Japan might signal a second rate hike later this year. By contrast, Bhimavarapu said the Reserve Bank of Australia appeared likely to pause rate hikes because momentum in economic growth and the labor market had weakened. However, he said inflation had not been resolved, leaving room for at least one additional rate increase later this year. Bhimavarapu also said he expected the U.S. Federal Reserve to potentially shift to a more hawkish stance by the end of this week.