Business
Japan’s rate hike signals new tightening phase | The Express Tribune
BOJ raises short-term rate to 30-year high, driven by persistent inflation, economic worries
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has raised its benchmark interest rate to 0.75%, marking its highest level in three decades. The move, which took place after a two-day policy meeting, comes as the country grapples with persistent inflation and concerns about its economic future, the Associated Press (AP) has reported.
The rate hike of 25 basis points follows several previous increases in 2024, culminating in this policy change, which was widely expected by analysts. The BOJ’s decision signals a new phase of monetary tightening after years of ultra-low rates designed to stimulate Japan’s economy. The 0.25-percentage-point hike took the BOJ’s benchmark short-term rate to 0.75%, its highest level since September 1995. It will raise costs for mortgages and other loans. The BOJ also indicated that it might raise rates further in the future, depending on economic conditions.
According to Xinhua news agency, it is the first rate increase since January and also the first under the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who advocated an aggressive fiscal policy and monetary easing.
Reasons for rate cut
The BOJ’s decision to raise rates stems from a combination of economic factors that have pressured the central bank to pivot away from its historically low interest rates.
For years, Japan struggled with deflation, which is when prices fall, leading to reduced consumer spending and investment. In response, the BOJ kept interest rates near zero or negative, hoping to stimulate the economy by encouraging borrowing and spending. However, this strategy has faced challenges, especially with inflation rising faster than expected.
As of November 2024, Japan’s inflation rate was recorded at 3%, above the BOJ’s target of 2%. This sustained inflationary pressure has forced the central bank to act.
BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda explained that the rate increase aims to ensure inflation remains consistent with the central bank’s 2% target. He added that inflationary pressures had risen moderately, and with the labour market showing signs of improvement, the BOJ could no longer justify maintaining its ultra-loose monetary policy.
However, Ueda stressed that the rate hike is still a cautious step, with real interest rates remaining in negative territory. Since Takaichi took office, the yen has sharply depreciated amid concerns that her expansionary policy would further deteriorate Japan’s fiscal health, prompting the selling of the currency and government bonds.
Implications for economy
The immediate impact of the rate hike was felt in both Japan’s currency and bond markets. The yen briefly weakened against the dollar, falling to the lower 156 range, while the yield on Japan’s 10-year government bonds rose to 2.02%, its highest level since 1999.
Rising bond yields, particularly on long-term government debt, could make borrowing more expensive for both consumers and businesses, potentially slowing economic growth. For Japanese consumers, the rate hike could lead to higher borrowing costs, especially for mortgages and personal loans. The cost of living has already risen in recent months due to higher prices for imported goods like food and energy, exacerbated by the depreciation of the yen.
While the rate hike may support the yen in the long run, providing some relief from inflationary pressures stemming from imports, it could also increase the burden on consumers already struggling with rising costs. On the other hand, the rate increase could offer higher returns on savings deposits, benefiting individuals who have invested in fixed-income assets. However, the potential rise in borrowing costs may slow down consumer spending, a critical engine of Japan’s economic growth.
The BOJ’s decision to raise rates comes at a time when most other major central banks, such as the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, have either paused or begun to cut interest rates to support slowing economies.
While the US and Europe grapple with slower economic growth and the aftermath of the pandemic, Japan’s inflationary pressures and concerns about fiscal health have prompted the BOJ to shift its approach. The weakening yen, which has depreciated against the dollar in recent years, has also contributed to higher inflation in Japan.
Risks and challenges
The decision to raise rates is not without risks. Japan’s economy is still fragile, and the recent GDP contraction of 0.6% in the third quarter of 2025 highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the country. Rising interest rates could further dampen consumer spending and investment, possibly pushing the economy into a deeper slowdown.
Moreover, Japan’s high levels of public debt, estimated at nearly 230% of GDP, present a big challenge. As borrowing costs rise, the government may face higher costs to service its debt, which could strain fiscal policy.
The price of Bitcoin fell below $70,000 on February 5, down 44% from its October 2025 high of $126,210, as investors shift interest to gold and global economic concerns rise.
Earlier in the day, Bitcoin briefly touched $63,000 before closing at $70,000.
Last week alone, its value dropped more than $20,000, reducing it by almost a quarter.
Compared to four months ago, Bitcoin has now lost about half its peak value.
Analysts say investor interest in Bitcoin is waning, with growing pessimism surrounding the broader cryptocurrency market.
Business
Gold, Silver ETFs Sink Up To 10% As Precious Metals Rout Deepens; What Should Investors Do Now?
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Silver and gold-linked commodity ETFs extended their slide, falling as much as 10%, tracking sharp drop in precious metal futures on the MCX
Silver ETFs
Silver and gold-linked commodity ETFs extended their slide on Friday, falling as much as 10%, tracking a sharp drop in precious metal futures on the MCX for the second straight session.
The decline came amid a global sell-off in technology stocks and a strengthening US dollar, which wiped out most of the gains from a brief rebound earlier in the week.
Silver ETFs lead losses
Kotak Silver ETF was the worst hit, tumbling 10%, while HDFC Silver ETF, SBI Silver ETF and Edelweiss Silver ETF declined about 9% each. Bandhan Silver ETF limited losses to around 6%.
Among gold-linked funds, Angel One Gold ETF slipped 8%, while Zerodha Gold ETF fell about 5%.
Volatility persists after steep correction
Hareesh V, Head of Commodity Research at Geojit Investments, said gold and silver continue to witness heightened volatility after last week’s sharp selloff. The correction was driven by hawkish US Federal Reserve expectations following Kevin Warsh’s nomination, a stronger dollar, and steep margin hikes by the CME that forced leveraged positions to unwind. Profit-taking after record highs further amplified price swings, keeping sentiment fragile.
He advised bullion investors to remain patient and avoid reacting to short-term volatility driven by margin hikes, profit booking and policy uncertainty.
“Gradual, staggered accumulation can help manage timing risks, as long-term fundamentals such as geopolitical tensions, central bank demand and currency pressures remain supportive. Closely tracking the US dollar and upcoming Federal Reserve signals is crucial in this phase of elevated volatility,” he said.
MCX futures slide sharply
In Friday’s session, MCX silver futures for March 5 delivery plunged 6%, or ₹14,628, to ₹2,29,187 per kg. Gold futures for April 2 delivery also weakened, slipping ₹2,675, or 2%, to ₹1,49,396 per 10 grams.
Globally, silver remained extremely volatile. Prices rebounded as much as 3% after plunging 10% to below the $65 level, a more than six-week low. Despite the bounce, silver was still down nearly 16% for the week. In the previous week, it had fallen 18%, marking its steepest weekly decline since 2011.
Margin hikes add pressure
The selloff spilled into domestic ETFs after sharp margin hikes in precious metal futures. On Thursday, commodity-based ETFs dropped as much as 21%, led by silver ETFs, while gold ETFs declined up to 7%.
Margins on silver futures were raised by 4.5% and on gold futures by 1% effective February 5, followed by an additional hike of 2.5% on silver and 2% on gold on Friday. As a result, total additional margins now stand at 7% for silver futures and 3% for gold futures from February 6.
“Markets often see sharp corrections after extended rallies. Broader risk sentiment and geopolitical cues can trigger profit booking in commodities, especially where positioning has been crowded,” said Nirpendra Yadav, Senior Commodity Research Analyst at Bonanza.
However, he added that industrial demand for silver remains strong, with a tight global supply environment and persistent deficits supporting prices over the medium to long term. Short-term intraday swings, he said, do not alter the long-term outlook.
Trade deal, macro cues in focus
Ross Maxwell, Global Strategy Operations Lead at VT Markets, said the India–US trade deal could improve risk appetite by easing supply-chain frictions and reducing tariff-linked inflation pressures.
“In this context, gold and silver will balance lower trade tensions against ongoing macro uncertainty. A clearer trade outlook can reduce risk aversion, limiting upside in precious metals,” he said.
Maxwell added that gold remains supported by concerns around inflation, currency stability and geopolitical risks, making it attractive as a strategic hedge rather than a short-term trade. Silver, he noted, also benefits from industrial demand, meaning improved global trade expectations could lend support through stronger manufacturing activity.
“While reduced tariffs may dampen fear-driven buying, both gold and silver are likely to remain structurally firm as long as economic and policy uncertainty persists,” he said.
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February 06, 2026, 12:08 IST
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Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday saw a sharp decline in share prices on the last day of the trading week amid profit-taking by investors.
After a brief period of gains at the market’s opening, the KSE-100 experienced a sharp decline.
It lost over 1467.24 points or -0.74 percent, falling to 186,364.84, losing three key psychological levels during the trading session.
Investors are closely watching the market amid the ongoing volatility.
Out of 564 active companies in the ready market, 163 advanced, 267 declined, while 134 remained unchanged.
On Wednesday, the benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX)witnessed a bullish trend, gaining 931.34 points, a positive change of 0.50 percent, to close at 187,832.08 points.
During the session, the ready market recorded a trading volume of 1,195.264 million shares with a traded value of Rs 44.102 billion, against 848.559 million shares valuing Rs 50.026 billion in the previous session.
Out of 483 active companies in the ready market, 246 advanced, 188 declined, while 49 remained unchanged.
K-Electric Limited topped the volume chart with 590.867 million shares, followed by Waves Home Appliances with 36.307 million shares and First National Equities with 32.938 million shares.
The top gainers included Nestle Pakistan Limited, which rose by Rs 75.39 to close at Rs 7,906.13, and Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited, which gained Rs 68.36 to settle at Rs 27,208.17.
On the losing side, Blessed Textiles Limited declined by Rs 67.48 to close at Rs 607.29, while Sazgar Engineering Works Limited fell by Rs 30.58 to close at Rs 2,271.47.
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