The annualized pace of US real GDP growth in Q1 2022 came in at a negative 1.4%, according to data released by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis on Thursday. That was a big miss on expectations that the economy had grown at an annualized pace of 1.4% in Q1 …
Read More »The yen falls to its lowest level in 20 years and pressure on the euro increases
The dollar rose against the yen above 130 yen on Thursday for the first time since 2002, after the Bank of Japan maintained its commitment to ultra-loose monetary policy, while the euro briefly fell below $1.05. There was some speculation in the market that the BoJ might pull back a …
Read More »ECB Economic Bulletin: Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is causing enormous suffering
Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is causing enormous suffering. It is also affecting the economy, in Europe and beyond. The conflict and the associated uncertainty are weighing heavily on the confidence of businesses and consumers. Trade disruptions are leading to new shortages of materials and inputs. Surging energy and commodity prices …
Read More »Japan shares rise as central bank adheres to ultra-loose monetary policy
Japanese stocks rose on Thursday after the Bank of Japan renewed its commitment to ultra-accommodative monetary policy and investors were relieved that no surprises would negatively affect the stock market. The Nikkei index rose 1.75 percent at the close, recording 26,847.90 points, the largest daily increase since April 13, after …
Read More »Annual inflation in Russia rises to the highest level since 2002
Russia’s annual inflation accelerated to 17.70 percent as of April 22, the highest level since early 2002, and up from 17.62 percent a week ago, due to sharp price hikes amid Western sanctions, the Russian Economy Ministry said on Wednesday. Prices of just about everything, from vegetables and sugar to …
Read More »Bank of Japan keeps policy steady
The Bank of Japan was expected and has maintained its key interest rates at today’s meeting, continuing to defend low rates with bond-buying but is uber dovish and pessimistic in its guidance. The yen is now pushed above 129 the figure toughing a 20-year high and that is where it …
Read More »Russia’s Gazprom continues to export gas to Europe via Ukraine
Russian gas pipeline operator Gazprom continued to supply Europe with natural gas through Ukraine on Thursday, according to European consumer demands, data from a Ukrainian gas pipeline operator showed. The data indicated that requests amounted to 63.4 million cubic meters on April 28.
Read More »The dollar index rushing towards 103, the highest level in 5 years
At 12:58 GMT, the US dollar index rose to 103.05, its highest level since January 2017. The dollar’s rise comes with the euro also falling to its lowest level in 5 years, due to the difference in monetary policy between the two regions, while the market is waiting for the …
Read More »Oil prices stabilize amid concerns about Russian supplies and demand in Asia
Oil prices were broadly stable on Wednesday after Russia halted gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland, while concerns about the impact of anti-Covid-19 shutdowns in Asia on economic growth and oil demand limited price hikes. After falling earlier, Brent crude futures rose 53 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $105.52 a …
Read More »The euro fell below $1.06 for the first time in five years
The euro fell below $1.06 for the first time in five years against a broadly stronger dollar on Wednesday, amid concerns about energy security and slowing growth in China and Europe. The euro fell to a five-year low of $1.05890 after Russia’s energy giant Gazprom said it would cut gas …
Read More »