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 […]
Strong U.S. economic growth expected in fourth quarter, outlook darkening
Fourth-quarter GDP forecast to increase at a 2.6% rateStrong consumer spending seen; other sectors to contributeWeekly jobless claims expected to rise moderatelyWASHINGTON, Jan 26 (Reuters) – The U.S. economy likely maintained a strong pace of growth in the fourth quarter as consumers boosted spending on goods, but momentum appears to have slowed considerably towards the […]
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 […]
Gold gains on softer dollar, slower Fed rate-hike bets
U.S. weekly jobless claims data due at 1330 GMTGold benefiting from flight to safety after U.S. data – analystU.S. producer prices fall more than expected in DecemberJan 19 (Reuters) – Gold prices rose on Thursday and are set to snap a three-day losing streak, helped by a weaker dollar and as signs of cooling U.S. […]
Gold back up above $1,900 level as dollar loses ground
Jan 18 (Reuters) – Gold reversed course to trade higher on Wednesday as the U.S. dollar pulled back from session highs and expectations of a slower pace of Federal Reserve rate hikes supported prices above the $1,900 threshold.Having dipped in the last two sessions, spot gold rose 0.5% to $1,917.26 per ounce by 1254 GMT, […]
China’s 2022 economic growth one of the worst on record, post-pandemic policy faces test
China Q4 GDP growth slows; 2022 growth one of worst on record2022 GDP grows 3.0%, far below official targetDec factory output, retail sales weak but beat expectationsPopulation shrinks for the first time since 1961Policymakers vow to step up support for economy in 2023BEIJING, Jan 17 (Reuters) – China’s economic growth in 2022 slumped to one […]
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 […]
Japan’s Nov real wages fall most in 8 years, defying BOJ objective
Real wages fall for eighth straight months – govtWage growth lags surging cost-push inflationPolicymakers seek wage growth to support inflationBOJ action may depend on strength of wage growth – analystTOKYO, Jan 6 (Reuters) – Japan reported on Friday its worst real-wage decline in more than eight years, with November data highlighting the elusiveness of the […]
World stocks soar, investors pare rate bets after US jobs data
Stocks rally as U.S. jobs data quells inflation fearsInvestors bet that Fed need not be as hawkishTreasury yields pull back, dollar sagsNEW YORK, Jan 6 (Reuters) – Wall Street sparked a global rally in stocks on Friday after a crucial U.S. jobs report showed wage growth slowed in December, fuelling investor bets that inflation is […]