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Nikkei falls as Japan holds interest rates unchanged Nikkei falls and yen surges as Japan holds interest rates
(35 minutes later)
Japanese shares were down on Thursday as investors' hopes for monetary easing from the central bank were dashed. Japanese shares fell and the yen surged after the Bank of Japan decided against any extra monetary easing.
The Bank of Japan held rates unchanged despite coming under pressure to take further action. The Bank of Japan kept interest rates unchanged despite coming under pressure to take further action.
It had cut interest rates to negative in January but this failed to provide a much needed boost for the economy. It had introduced negative rates in January but this failed to provide a much needed boost for the economy.
The Nikkei 225 fell by 2.9% to 16,781.69 points. New economic data also showed a slip back into deflation while industrial production expanded. The Nikkei 225 fell by 2.9% to 16,781.69. New economic data also showed a slip back into deflation while industrial production expanded.
Japan has for years been trying to boost its economy and end a period of stifling deflation.Japan has for years been trying to boost its economy and end a period of stifling deflation.
One way to try to achieve this is by monetary policy, which is one of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's three key "Abenomics" policies to turn around the economy.One way to try to achieve this is by monetary policy, which is one of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's three key "Abenomics" policies to turn around the economy.
But even negative rates - meaning commercial banks will be charged if they deposit money with the central bank - have not trickled down to get banks to lend more and companies and people to invest or spend more.But even negative rates - meaning commercial banks will be charged if they deposit money with the central bank - have not trickled down to get banks to lend more and companies and people to invest or spend more.
Inflation is still far off the 2% target.Inflation is still far off the 2% target.
The BOJ decision to hold rates also sent the yen currency soaring, which is likely to negatively affect the crucial export sector. Yen strengthens
The BOJ's decision to hold rates also sent the yen currency soaring, which is likely to have a negative affect on the crucial export sector.
The yen rose nearly 2% against the dollar, with one dollar worth 109.33 yen.
"This shows that too much expectation of further easing had been priced in and the BOJ has surprised the market by taking no action," said market analyst Margaret Yang of CMC Markets.
"It is probable that the central bank is temporarily running out of tools to stimulate the economy, or they need more time to observe and assess the impact of negative interest rates."
The three arrows of "Abenomics":The three arrows of "Abenomics":
Markets elsewhere in Asia were also affected by the surprise from Tokyo.
In China, the mainland's Shanghai Composite fell 1.2% to 2,919.80 points while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was flat at 21,384.61.In China, the mainland's Shanghai Composite fell 1.2% to 2,919.80 points while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was flat at 21,384.61.
In South Korea, the benchmark Kospi index lost 0.6% to 2002.30.In South Korea, the benchmark Kospi index lost 0.6% to 2002.30.
Earlier in the morning, the country's tech giant Samsung reported a 12% rise in operating profit, beating analyst forecasts. Earlier in the morning, the country's tech giant Samsung reported a 12% rise in operating profit, beating analysts' forecasts.
In Australia, Sydney's ASX/200 defied the wider trend and rose by 0.6% to 5,218.20.In Australia, Sydney's ASX/200 defied the wider trend and rose by 0.6% to 5,218.20.