BoJ watchers see no moves from Kuroda in 2019 - Bloomberg

According to Bloomberg, Bank of Japan (BoJ) policy watchers expect the BoJ to remain virtually unchanged through 2019 as weakening inflation keeps the BoJ understated.

Key quotes

All but one of 50 economists said they expect the BOJ to stand pat as it concludes a two-day policy meeting on Jan. 23, according to a Bloomberg survey conducted Jan. 10-15.

The outlook for Japan’s growth and inflation this year has dimmed amid signs of slowing global growth, including in China. The U.S.-China trade war poses a risk to Japan’s export-dependent economy, as does a stronger yen. The currency, seen as a haven asset, has surged in recent weeks as investors sought shelter from market turmoil.

More than 90 percent of economists said they expected the BOJ to cut at least one of its annual inflation forecasts when it releases its quarterly outlook report after its meeting next week, and more than 80 percent said it would trim at least one growth forecast.