Sterling soars broadly after hawkish comments from BoE governor Carney. He noted in his annual address to bankers that "there's already great speculation about the exact timing of the first rate hike and this decision is becoming more balanced. It could happen sooner than markets currently expect." Markets are now pricing in the first hike from the current 0.5% in next February. And based on Carney's comment, the rate hike could be pulled ahead to end of this year. Meanwhile, Fitch affirmed UK's AA+ credit rating with a table outlook. The rating agency noted that "favorable macroeconomic trends, including strong GDP growth, falling unemployment and inflation close to the 2 percent target, have continued in the U.K. economy since our last review in December 2013."
On the other hand, yen drops broadly after BoJ left policies unchanged as widely expected. The central bank held rates near zero and maintained the target for monetary base expansion at JPY 60-70T annually. It reiterated the assessment on the economy as "Japan's economy has continued to recover moderately as a trend, although the subsequent decline in demand following the front-loaded increase prior to the consumption tax hike has been observed." Also released from Japan, industrial production was revised lower to -2.8% mom in April.
Released from China, industrial production rose 8.8% yoy in May as expected. Retail sales rose 12.5% yoy versus consensus of 12.2% yoy. Fixed asset investment rose 17.2% yoy versus expectation of 17.1% yoy. From Eurozone German CPI was finalized at 0.9% yoy in May. Eurozone employment, trade balance, US PPI, U of Michigan sentiment and Canada manufacturing shipments will be released late today.