Market Pulse - Currencies
Week ahead: Central banks, China in focus
Central banks will be firmly in the spotlight over the coming week, alongside a barrage of economic data out of China and Japan.
Economists surprised by strong China trade data for November
China's foreign trade was surprisingly strong in November according to economists, amid export growth at two-year highs and import demand that slowed by much less than had been expected.
IMF says China's banks need more capital after credit boom
The International Monetary Fund has urged China’s banks to raise more capital to protect against risks caused by a credit boom.
Bitcoin surges past $16,500 despite news of $60m heist
Digital currency Bitcoin continued its upwards trajectory, hitting a new record high above $16,500, despite a major hack which saw millions of dollars worth of the digital currency stolen on Thursday.
North Korea says war is unavoidable after US military drills
North Korea said war with the US is "an established fact", blaming the South Korean and US military exercises that are set to run until Friday.
China November FX reserve data may herald wider yuan trading band
China's foreign exchange reserves were little changed last month, extending a spell of stability which some economists believe might encourage Beijing to take further 'baby steps' towards full-blown FX liberalisation such as widening the trading band for the yuan.
FX round-up: Sterling under pressure, but technical backdrop still constructive
Sterling came under pressure again as markets continued to wait for a possible breakthrough in negotiations between Westminister and the DUP on the Irish question - albeit amid some scepticism - ahead of a Sunday deadline to reach a deal with Brussels in order to move forward on trade negotiations.
US service sector growth slows a tad more than expected in November, ISM says
US service sector growth slowed a tad more than expected last month but economists indicated that it continued to point to a healthy pace of growth.
EU blacklists South Korea and UAE as tax havens
European Union finance ministers have placed 17 states on a blacklist of tax havens, including the powerful economies of the UAE and South Korea.
Joint US and South Korean drills draw angry response from Pyongyang
The US and the South Korean air forces will beef-up and go ahead with their joint annual military exercises, a week after North Korea fired its most powerful test missile to date.
Bitcoin reaches new high at nearly $11,800
Bitcoin hit a new record high of nearly $11,800 on Sunday breaking it’s last record of over $11,000 on Wednesday 29 November.
Bitcoin regulation looms in UK and Europe over money-laundering fears
European Union legislation to clamp down on bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is expected withing coming weeks over concerns they are being used to launder money and evade tax.