Data released on Tuesday, showed the US trade deficit widened in January to a new record high. Analysts at Wells Fargo point out it reflects the relative out-performance of the US economy during a pandemic era characterized by volatile swings but generally an environment of faster growing imports and slower …
Read More »Financial Tightening Sounds Alarm For Global Economy
Global financial conditions, perceived as strongly correlated with future growth, are at the tightest levels in two years, driven by soaring energy prices, sliding stocks and the market consequences of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.Financial conditions is the umbrella phrase for how metrics such as exchange rates, equity swings and borrowing costs …
Read More »Expectations of OPEC+ Commitment to Modest Production Increases
Officials said that the OPEC + bloc will likely adhere to modest oil production increases when it meets on Wednesday, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two of the largest members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, complying with the agreement with Russia, despite the expansion …
Read More »Will OPEC+ Stick To Preset Plan Despite Ukraine’s Invasion?
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies led by Russia, known as OPEC+, have been unwinding historic production cuts they instated in 2020 after the pandemic caused an unprecedented fall in global demand.Then, former US President Donald Trump intervened to encourage Riyadh and Moscow to end a …
Read More »Bank of Canada Rate Decision Preview
This Wednesday at 1500 GMT, the BOC is expected to raise its benchmark interest rate to 0.50% from 0.25% (an all-time low) for the first time since October 2018. There is no press conference following the March meeting. At its January meeting, the central bank left the key rate unchanged …
Read More »Fed’s Barkin: Hope Fed can restore rates to pre-pandemic levels quickly
Richmond Fed President and FOMC member Thomas Barkin said on Thursday that he hopes the Fed can restore interest rates back to pre-pandemic levels fairly quickly, reported Reuters. Barkin added that it is timely to normalise rates given strong demand, the tight labour market and high inflation. Barkin said that …
Read More »Global Markets Shocked By Russia’s Military Assault-Related Signals
A typically dark day for Europe witnessed extraordinary shock across financial markets. This report sums up some of the signals that world economy received during the first hours of the assault. Dow Jones plunges as Russian assault against Ukraine roils global markets, oil prices soared to record highs after Russia …
Read More »Kazimir Defends ECB Policy In Clash With Minister Over Prices
Some European Central Bank officials are coming under increasing heat from Eurozone governments as accelerating inflation stokes tension.Governing Council member Peter Kazimir of Slovakia defended the Frankfurt-based ECB on Wednesday against his country’s economy minister, Richard Sulik, who said asset purchases under the bank’s quantitative easing program were hurting consumers. …
Read More »Canada Considers New Plan to Address Labour Shortages
The immigration system has helped shape Canada into the country it is today – one that is prosperous, diverse, and welcoming to those in need. Newcomers enrich and better local communities, and they work every day to create jobs, care for our loved ones, and support local businesses.Throughout the pandemic, …
Read More »French trade deficit hits record level despite economic rebound
France’s trade deficit in goods widened to a record €84.7bn last year, creating what its finance minister Bruno Le Maire called “a black mark” over the economy. The 31 per cent increase in the country’s trade deficit in goods came as its economy rebounded strongly from the fallout of the …
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