US companies rush to issue corporate debt, busiest February ever
WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (Reuters) – U.S. companies with the highest credit ratings sold a record $144 billion of debt securities so far in February to get ahead of further potential interest rate hikes, meeting strong demand from investors looking to capitalize on a spike in yields.Investment-grade rated corporate bond issuance in February has been the […]
‘Stubborn’ food inflation leaves U.S. shoppers with slim appetite for other goods
Food retailers benefit from rocketing pricesChoosy shoppers seek discounts on clothing, housewaresHome improvement sales head downFeb 23 (Reuters) – As American shoppers stomach soaring food prices, they are cutting back on purchases of other goods, such as toys, clothing and housewares, in a challenging trend for retailers.Commentary this week from executives at Walmart (WMT.N) and […]
Analysis: Fed’s quandary: Can the economy keep motoring and inflation fall?
WASHINGTON, Feb 21 (Reuters) – A year into the U.S. Federal Reserve’s most aggressive monetary crackdown since the 1980s the strength of the U.S. economy has befuddled policymakers now faced with an unexpected dilemma: Are things too good?There’s little sign the U.S. job market, currently sporting a more-than-half-century low 3.4% unemployment rate, is weakening. Consumers […]
Analysis: Looming U.S. default risk prompts investors to cut some debt exposure
NEW YORK, Feb 21 (Reuters) – Bond investors are starting to trim holdings of U.S. debt to brace for a possible government default that they see as highly unlikely but potentially seismic for financial markets around the world.The U.S. Treasury hit its $31.4 trillion borrowing limit last month. Unless congress raises or suspends that cap, […]
Argentine savers ‘drown’ under spiraling prices as inflation hits 99%
BUENOS AIRES, Feb 14 (Reuters) – Argentina’s inflation rate has hit just shy of 100%, the government said on Tuesday, with savers feeling more pain from some of the world’s fastest rising prices and workers’ budgets straining as costs outstrip salaries.The South American country, which has battled spiraling prices for years, saw monthly inflation speed […]
Japan’s weak Q4 GDP rebound poses challenge for BOJ’s exit path
Japan Q4 GDP expands annualised 0.6% vs f’cast +2.0%Drop in capex, inventory behind weaker-than-expected reboundData underscore view Japan making delayed recovery from pandemicOutlook on growth, wages key to how soon BOJ exits easy policyTOKYO, Feb 14 (Reuters) – Japan’s economy averted recession but rebounded much less than expected in the fourth quarter as business investment […]
Morning Bid: Powell confesses ‘This time it’s different’
A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike Dolan.Jerome Powell calmed the horses, a bit.In attempting to parse last week’s blockbuster January jobs report, the Federal Reserve Chair on Tuesday reprised his take from last Wednesday’s policy meeting – essentially that another couple of Fed rate hikes were probably needed […]
Analysis: Wall Street heavyweights warn of pain ahead despite market’s recent reprieve
NEW YORK, Jan 25 (Reuters) – Some of Wall Street’s biggest names are throwing cold water on expectations that the U.S. economy will scrape through 2023 without a recession, even as hopes of easing inflation and resilient growth propel stocks higher.Banks and asset managers that have reiterated recession calls include BlackRock, Wells Fargo and Neuberger […]
Explainer: Shutdown? Default? Washington’s risky new debt ceiling standoff
WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Partisan brinksmanship in the U.S. Congress has made government shutdowns seem a routine part of governing in the past decade, but the current standoff in Washington over raising the $31.4 trillion federal debt ceiling is significantly riskier.WHAT IS A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN?Congress is supposed to pass detailed spending legislation for each […]
Analysis: Bank of Japan’s yield curve control in danger as policy backfires
BOJ’s hope to buy time with wider yield band backfiresBoard to debate market distortions at Tuesday-Wednesday meetingMany in BOJ prefer to stand pat, some open to tweak – sourcesDec inflation seen hitting 4.0%, more pressure for BOJTOKYO, Jan 16 (Reuters) – The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is under pressure to change its interest rate policy […]