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 […]
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, […]
U.S. posts $39 billion January deficit after pension fund bailout
WASHINGTON, Feb 10 (Reuters) – The U.S. government posted a $39 billion budget deficit for January after a $119 billion monthly surplus a year earlier, as revenues dipped and one-time costs, including the bailout of a union pension fund, pushed outlays sharply higher, the Treasury Department said on Friday.The report, which comes as Treasury employs […]
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 […]
Morning bid: Markets go all in for disinflation
SYDNEY, Feb 2 (Reuters) – A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Wayne Cole.Push back? What push back? The main theme ahead of the Fed announcement was that Chair Jerome Powell would definitely, totally, absolutely push back against the recent rapid easing in market conditions given inflation was still sky […]
Veterans of 2011 U.S. debt-ceiling fight see tougher battle ahead
WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (Reuters) – A Democratic president. A new Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives pushing for sharp spending cuts. A rapidly growing pile of debt – and a showdown that threatens to throw the global economy into turmoil.Sound familiar?Those elements driving the debate over raising the federal government’s $31.4 trillion debt […]
McCarthy to discuss debt limit, spending with Biden
Biden, McCarthy set for high-stakes debt talks on WednesdayRepublican leader says U.S. default will not happenWhite House dubious on Republican plan for MedicareWASHINGTON/WILMINGTON, Del., Jan 29 (Reuters) – President Joe Biden and House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy will meet at the White House on Wednesday for talks in the standoff over the federal debt […]
U.S. December deficit quadruples as outlays grow, debt ceiling nears
WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) – The U.S. government’s December budget deficit quadrupled from a year earlier to $85 billion as receipts shrank slightly and outlays grew to a new December record, the Treasury Department said on Thursday as it neared the $31.4 trillion federal debt limit.The results confirmed forecasts that revenues would start to ease […]
Crypto contagion deepens: Coinbase to slash nearly 1,000 jobs
Jan 10 (Reuters) – Coinbase Global Inc (COIN.O) said on Tuesday it will reduce its workforce by about 950 employees as part of a restructuring plan, in a third round of layoffs for the cryptocurrency exchange since last year.The company said it expects to incur about $149 million to $163 million in restructuring expenses. Its […]