As the new year began, Reuters newsroom was ahead of the pack again with major scoops on global finance.
On January 14, Reuters exclusively reported that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) was debating how soon it could start telegraphing an eventual interest rate hike, which could come even before inflation hits the bank’s 2% target.
Sources told Reuters the BOJ was emboldened by broadening price rises and a more hawkish Federal Reserve.
Commenting on her exclusive report, Reuters reporter Leika Kihara, said: “While Omicron draws much attention, creeping inflation has become an additional source of concern for policymakers across the globe. This story is an important one as it shows that inflation is emerging as a talking point even in Japan, which has been long mired in deflation. The story has created considerable impact, with our readers looking closely at how expected steady interest rate hikes by the Fed will affect the global direction of monetary policy.
“The story involved months of effort chasing tight-lipped sources and interpreting the subtle, nuanced languages as well as any change in tone of comments made by central bank policymakers or officials with direct knowledge of the BOJ affairs”.
In another scoop, Reuters reported on the same day that China will release crude oil from its national strategic stockpiles around the Lunar New Year holidays that start on Feb. 1, as part of a plan coordinated by the United States with other major consumers to reduce global prices.
The sources, who have knowledge of talks between the world’s top two crude consumers, told Reuters exclusively that China agreed in late 2021 to release an unspecified amount of oil depending on price levels. China’s release had been pending following the agreement, first reported by Reuters in November, between top oil-consuming countries to sell oil from strategic reserves.
Both Reuters news stories were widely picked up by international media.
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Media contact:
Kayley.Rogers @ TR.com