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 […]
China says it will set up yuan clearing arrangements in Brazil
BEIJING, Feb 7 (Reuters) – China’s central bank has signed a memorandum of understanding on setting up yuan clearing arrangements in Brazil, it said on Tuesday, in a move to help boost the currency’s global clout.The establishment of such arrangements for the renminbi (RMB), or the yuan, would be beneficial to cross-border transactions, and further […]
Global shares slide as interest-rate risk rises and geopolitics heat up
U.S. stock futures slip, European shares dropYen skids as market eyes possible BOJ governorInvestors ponder U.S. rates with host of Fed speakers dueLONDON, Feb 6 (Reuters) – Global shares slipped on Monday, after a run of upbeat economic data suggested interest rates will have to rise further and stay higher for longer, while a stronger […]
China foreign-exchange reserves rise $11 billion to $3.128 trillion in December
BEIJING, Jan 7 (Reuters) – China’s foreign exchange reserves rose in December, official data showed on Saturday, as the dollar fell against other major currencies.The country’s foreign exchange reserves – the world’s largest – rose $11 billion to $3.128 trillion last month, compared with $3.154 trillion predicted by a Reuters poll of analysts and $3.117 […]
Fed’s Powell says no rate cuts this year, and markets hear it differently
Feb 2 (Reuters) – Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell had a clear message on Wednesday: as “gratifying” as it is that inflation has begun to slow, the central bank is nowhere near to reversing course or declaring victory.”It’s going to take some time” for disinflation to spread through the economy, Powell said in a news […]
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 […]
Global factory activity contracted again in January, highlighting fragile recovery
U.S. manufacturing sinks further in Jan, but few layoffs – ISMEuro zone factories have passed their trough in activity – PMIChina’s Jan factory activity shrinks – Caixin PMI surveyWASHINGTON/LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters) – Manufacturing activity across the United States, Europe and Asia contracted again last month, underscoring the fragility of the global economic recovery, although […]
Lebanon to devalue currency by 90% on Feb. 1, central bank chief says
BEIRUT, Jan 31 (Reuters) – Lebanon will adopt a new official exchange rate of 15,000 pounds per U.S. dollar on Feb. 1, central bank governor Riad Salameh said, marking a 90% devaluation from its current official rate that has remained unchanged for 25 years.The shift from the old rate of 1,507 to 15,000 is still […]
Wall St gains over 1% after encouraging inflation data with Fed next
Nasdaq posts biggest January gain since 2001U.S. labor cost growth slows in fourth quarterExxon, UPS rise after results, Caterpillar slumpsFed decision on interest rates on WednesdayIndexes up: Dow 1.09%, S&P 500 1.46%, Nasdaq 1.67%NEW YORK, Jan 31 (Reuters) – Major U.S. stock indexes closed over 1% higher on Tuesday as labor cost data encouraged investors […]
Fed’s words in focus as markets bet rate hikes will soon end
Jan 30 (Reuters) – U.S. central bankers have unambiguously telegraphed this week’s policy decision: a quarter-of-a-percentage-point increase in their benchmark interest rate, the smallest since they kicked off their tightening cycle 10 months ago with one the same size.Less clear is whether they will continue to signal “ongoing increases” ahead for the policy rate as […]