The US non-manufacturing services sector activity showed a strong recovery during June, nearing a return to its levels before the COVID-19 pandemic. The ISM Non-Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for June increased to 57.1, compared to its reading in May at 45.4, and an expected reading of 50.1. This is …
Read More »IHS Markit: US Services Sector Showing Softer Contraction
Seasonally adjusted IHS Markit US Services Business Activity Index registered 47.9 at the end of the second quarter (Q2) of 2020. This comes after the index recorded a reading of 37.5 in May, thus, showing a softer rate of contraction in business activity across the US. The IHS Markit Composite …
Read More »Spain Sets New Deal for Reactivating Economy
The Spanish government signed an agreement with business leaders and unions on Friday to reactivate the economy and create job opportunities, local paper El Pais reported. The agreement includes a support plan of EUR 40 billion for business loans aimed at funding the digital transformation of Spanish companies and businesses. …
Read More »Knot: COVID-19 Needs Fiscal Response
Monetary policy should not be the main line of defense for Europe against the economic impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, said Klaas Knot, the Governor of the Dutch Central Bank. Knot, who is a member of the European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council, said that a strong fiscal …
Read More »French President Macron Names New PM
Jean Castex will lead a new French government, after being named by President Emmanuel Macron as prime minister. Macron, who was elected in 2017, promised a cabinet reshuffle in recent days to focus on recovery from the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new Prime Minister of France, …
Read More »NZD Rises on Improved Risk Appetite
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is showing a strong performance against major currencies, supported by improved risk appetite. Positive indicators from European PMI reports showed that June saw the best economic activity since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gains by Asian stock markets also helped push the risk appetite …
Read More »Calvino: COVID-19 EU Debts Must Be Repaid
All the debt issued by the European Union (EU) to help its member states in the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic will eventually be paid back, according to Spain’s Minister of Economy Nadia Calvino. “The long-term sustainability of the debt is guaranteed and we are making plans and …
Read More »British Services Sector Shows Strong Recovery Signs
The headline seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS UK services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for business activity posted 47.1 in June, up from its level in May at 29, reaching its highest level in four months. The index survey showed that around 33% of participants reported a drop in business activity during …
Read More »Eurozone PMI Maintains Road to Recovery
The Eurozone purchasing managers’ composite output index (PMI) maintained its recovery for the second consecutive month, recording 48.5 in June, rising by 17 points compared to its level in May at 31.9. This is the best level for the Eurozone index in four months, since the beginning of the coronavirus …
Read More »EUR/JPY Remains in a Narrow Range
The risk aversion provides some strength to Yen, safe-haven currency, which maintains the bullish trend for EUR/JPY in 121.00 regions. EUR/JPY fell for a second consecutive session with low trading volume due to the Independence Day holiday in the United States. Investors continue to evaluate the latest data besides Covid-19 …
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