SGD

[winston]

Singapore keeps monetary policy unchanged

SINGAPORE: Singapore's central bank kept policy unchanged on Friday as expected, saying the current policy band for the local currency provided some flexibility, to accommodate the near-term weakness in inflation and growth.

The central bank kept the width of the policy band and the level at which it is centred unchanged, maintaining the rate of appreciation of the Singapore dollar policy band at zero percent.

"MAS assesses that a neutral policy stance will be needed for an extended period to ensure medium-term price stability," the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said in its semiannual monetary policy statement.

"The current policy band provides some flexibility for the S$NEER to accommodate the near-term weakness in inflation and growth."

The MAS manages monetary policy by changes to the exchange rate, rather than interest rates, letting the Singapore dollar rise or fall against the currencies of its main trading partners because trade flows dwarf the city state's economy.

Sixteen of 18 analysts in a Reuters survey had predicted that the MAS would keep monetary policy unchanged this month. Some analysts, however, said that external risks and sluggish economic growth could prompt a further easing in 2017, following a surprise easing in April.

Source: The Star

http://www.thestar.com.my/business/busi ... unchanged/

[winston]

Singapore dollar hits 7-month low on lacklustre growth outlook

Analysts expect the Sing dollar to weaken further and possibly hit 1.40 against the US dollar by the end of the year.

By Tang See Kit

Source: Channel NewsAsia

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/bus ... 05948.html

[behappyalways]

SGD likely to slide to levels seen post-global financial crisis in 2008: analysts
http://sbr.com.sg/economy/news/sgd-like ... 8-analysts

[behappyalways]

Singapore dollar hits weakest in more than seven years
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/20/singapor ... years.html

[winston]

Singapore dollar to weaken further in uncertain 2017: Analysts

For 2017, a double whammy of the US dollar's strength and ongoing woes in the domestic economy could take the Sing dollar down to levels last seen during the global financial crisis, analysts say.

By Tang See Kit

Since the US elections, the Sing dollar has fallen 3.5 per cent against the greenback while the South Korean won and Malaysian ringgit slumped around 5 per cent and 7 per cent respectively.

Source: Channel NewsAsia

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/bus ... 96660.html

[behappyalways]

USD/SGD forecast to reach 1.53 by March next year
http://www.theedgemarkets.com.sg/usdsgd ... -next-year

[winston]

Goldman, Citigroup Tell Clients to Bet Big on Singapore Dollar

Investors should buy the local dollar on dips, Citigroup says

MAS has tightened policy twice this year to counter inflation

By Ruth Carson

Source: Bloomberg

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... de-in-asia

[behappyalways]

Singapore dollar is new short as Asian haven falls from favour
https://www.theedgesingapore.com/news/c ... lls-favour

[winston]

4 reasons why the Singapore dollar continues to strengthen against the Malaysian ringgit

by Choon Leo Wang

1. Economic fundamentals
2. Monetary policies and central bank interventions
3. Trade imbalances and productivity
4. Investor confidence and stability

Source: The Fifth Person

https://fifthperson.com/singapore-dolla ... n-ringgit/

[behappyalways]

Singapore dollar’s heydays seen numbered as exports lose steam
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.busine ... team%3famp