FXCM Research Team

The GBP/JPY currency pair is known for inherent volatility and periodic wide trading ranges. It is seen as a barometer of global economic health.

How has Japan responded to the COVID-19 pandemic that swept across the globe starting in early 2020? Let's explore the Bank of Japan and the government's tactics to help out the economy. Bank Of Japan Japan's central bank, the Bank of Japan (BOJ), has been one of the world's most proactive in monetary accommodation and asset purchases, both governmental and private securities, bonds as well as stocks, since the 2008…

Like so many other countries around the world, South Africa was faced with responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's how both the government and the reserve bank reacted. South African Reserve Bank On 20 March 2020, the South African Reserve Bank, the country's central bank, cut its benchmark repo, or repurchase, rate by 100 basis points to 5.25% from 6.25%. On 15 April it reduced it further by 100 basis…

Following the early 2020 onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the global population eagerly awaited a vaccine capable of combating the virus. Although developing such products typically takes years, policymakers world-wide committed to rapidly creating a COVID-19 countermeasure. Over the course of the process, the financial markets reacted to approvals, setbacks and expectations posed by a potential coronavirus inoculation. Impact Of COVID-19 On Growth Projections Traditional financial theory tells us…

What Are Annuities? An annuity is a contract in which an insurance company agrees to pay out a guaranteed sum of money to an investor, called the annuitant, for a specified period. The investor hands over a sum of money, either in a lump sum or over a period of time, to the insurance company, which agrees to make payments, usually monthly or quarterly, to the investor. Payout periods can…

The franc is the currency of both Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It is also the legal tender in both countries, as well as the geographically separate Italian territory of Campione d'Italia. The Swiss franc (ISO code: CHF) is the only version of the franc still used in Europe. + Believed to be an integral part of Swiss history, the franc is regarded as far more than just legal tender, but as…

The EUR/CAD exists as a cross currency pairing. It can function as a diversification tool, and can be actively traded within a trend following or carry trade approach.

On 7 January 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) identified the root cause of an influenza-like outbreak in the city of Wuhan, China. Referred to as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the highly contagious disease spread rapidly despite quarantines of affected cities and travel restrictions. By 10 March 2020, COVID-19 moved through more than 110 countries, resulting in approximately 113,702 confirmed cases and 4,012 fatalities. The economic fallout from COVID-19 was…

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic chaos, governments and central banks around the world have created and rolled out dozens of financial rescue and economic stimulus plans to shield individuals and businesses affected by the lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Below, you can find links to our guides covering major countries' responses to the pandemic, both by the governments and their central banks. We will…

Throughout the U.S. electoral cycle of 2020, a collection of unique events drove a spirited race for the White House. Dubbed by political pundits as "the most important election of our time," Election 2020 featured incumbent Republican Donald Trump against Democratic challenger Joe Biden. Issues such as social welfare, homeland security, economic growth and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic defined the contest. From an economic standpoint, the difference between Trump and…

The government and the Reserve Bank of Australia, like their counterparts in other major countries, have enacted several measures to protect and stimulate their economies in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Reserve Bank And Banking System On 3 March the Reserve Bank's board lowered its benchmark cash rate, which is the interest rate on unsecured overnight loans between banks, by 25 basis points to 0.50% and said it "is…