What to look for in BoJ’s policy statement - BBG

Bloomberg offers the key things to look for in today’s BoJ monetary policy statement, as an unchanged policy decision is widely expected.

BoJ is due to announce its monetary policy decision anytime soon.

"What to look for and why

• Remarks on the prospect for policy adjustment

A Bloomberg survey showed more than a third of economists predict the central bank will raise its target for 10-year bond yields next year from the current level of about 0 percent. A smaller number see the BOJ increasing the policy balance rate from -0.1 percent.

• Hints on the pace of bond purchases

The central bank has been undershooting its guideline of increasing bond holdings by 80 trillion yen ($710 billion) a year, and this is seen as likely to be even slower in 2018.

• Anything from dissenting board member

The dissent of new board member Goushi Kataoka has prompted the BOJ to tweak its messaging. Even though he’s the only dissenter, any further step from him will be of interest. "