Land sales and personal budget cuts are being greatly impacted by the real estate crisis in China, which has reduced retail sales, investment, exports, and industry output. After three years, the government’s “zero covid” initiatives have not generated the promised roar but rather a whimper. Two-thirds of personal wealth and …
Read More »The Japanese Nikkei index rises and ends a 3-day losing streak
Japan’s Nikkei closed higher on Monday as investors tread carefully after last week’s huge losses and weather disappointment over China’s small interest rate cut. The Nikkei ended trading up 0.37 percent at 31,565.64 points on Monday, ending a three-day losing streak. The index fell 3.15 percent last week, its worst …
Read More »Financial Markets’ Weekly Recap, August 14-18
Eurozone Eurozone inflation has slowed further, and underlying price pressures appear to have peaked, according to Eurostat statistics released on Friday, lessening pressure on the European Central Bank to continue raising rates following its quickest rate-hike cycle on record. To confront a historic increase in inflation, the ECB has raised …
Read More »Could China’s slowdown throw US economy into recession?
What happens in China doesn’t just stay in China. Flooding in northeastern China has caused numerous deaths and severe damage to infrastructure, homes, and crops. President Xi Jinping urges action to reduce damage. At least 90 rivers have risen beyond alert threshold, with 24 already flooded. Local governments must prioritize …
Read More »US stocks mixed ahead of weekend
After the market closed on Friday, US equities were mixed, with gains coming from the oil and gas, utilities, and telecoms industries while losses came from the technology, basic materials, and consumer goods industries.The NASDAQ Composite index lost 0.20%, the S&P 500 index lost 0.01%, and the Dow Jones Industrial …
Read More »GBP/USD retreats after soft UK retail sales data
UK Retail Sales for July are looked upon as disappointing with a -1.2% MoM drop, surpassing the anticipated -0.5% decline. Strong UK GDP readings and high wages keep BoE rate hike expectations alive, with a 6% peak on the Bank Rate anticipated.Nevertheless, strong readings on UK GDP and steadily high …
Read More »Dollar is heading for gains for the fifth week
The dollar is heading for gains for the fifth week against other major currencies, to record the longest series of gains in 15 months, supported by expectations that US interest rates will remain high for a longer period and by turning to safer assets as a result of concerns about …
Read More »EUR/USD slides further on risk aversion, stronger dollar
Equities are down and bond rates are up as investors remain cautious due to expectations of additional monetary tightening by central banks. The July Fed minutes show a unanimous vote in favour of raising rates, but growing reluctance among board members regarding possible over-tightening.Initial Jobless Claims came in at 239K, …
Read More »Morgan Stanley cuts its forecast for the growth of the Chinese economy in 2023 to 4.7%
Morgan Stanley has joined a group of major banks and brokerages in lowering forecasts for China’s economic growth for this year after a series of disappointing data and concerns about the ailing real estate sector there. According to a note issued by the bank on Wednesday, it now expects China’s …
Read More »GBP rose after British inflation data and the Yuan at its lowest level in 9 months
The pound was set to post its biggest one-day gain in nearly two weeks on Wednesday after data showed Britain’s core inflation remained high in July, while the yuan fell to a nine-month low as concerns mounted of a further slowdown in growth. The pound sterling rose in the latest …
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