Interest rate hikes expected in coming months: Moody's

Central banks in India, China and South Korea are closely monitoring the emerging inflationary pressures on their economies and hikes in interest rates could be expected across the Asia-Pacific region after Australia raised key interest rates, says Moody's economy.com. Australia is the first G20 country to raise interest rates yesterday, with the country's apex bank declaring recession over. The Reserve Bank of AustraliaAsian central banks have intervened in the currency markets in an attempt to slow the slide of the US dollar. Asian countries are worried about their export industries, which would be hurt by a weaker dollar. Central banks in South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines and Thailand have been buying the US currency, traders said. As signs of economic recovery begin to emerge, traders have switched from the traditionally "safe" US dollar to buying other currencies. A fresh wave of dollar-selling may have led to the banks' intervention. The dollar fell to a 14-month low against a basket of currencies on Thursday. Analysts believe that other countries have also intervened. "It was reported earlier this morning that Russia was one of at least six central banks buying dollars," said Michael Woolfolk, senior currency strategist at the Bank of New York Mellon.