Market Pulse - Currencies
Fed broadens access to US dollar funding for dozens of central banks
America's central bank moved to meet the heightened demand for US dollar from overseas.
Goldman slashes 1H US GDP forecast due to rapid pace of firings
Fiscal and monetary policy in the States have been eased "dramatically further" but the rapid pace at which companies are shedding workers means the US economy will take a bigger than expected hit from the Covid-19 pandemic, Goldman Sachs said.
UK consumer confidence weakens as Covid-19 outbreak spreads
UK consumer confidence has weakened since the outbreak of Covid-19, a widely-followed survey published on Tuesday showed, and is predicted to worsen still as the full impact of lockdown hits home.
Drop in US consumer confidence points to 'severe' contraction, Conference Board says
A popular gauge of consumer confidence in the US revealed what the survey compiler termed a "worrisome" worsening in Americans' short-term outlook which pointed to a "severe contraction".
Trump extends US social distancing measures until 30 April
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would extend social distancing measures until 30 April in an effort to limit death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chinese industrial profits see biggest drop since 2010 in January/February
Industrial company profits in China plummeted at their quickest pace since 2010 as the coronavirus pandemic forced authorities into a country-wide lockdown at one point.
BoE keeps door open to further increase in asset purchases
Rate-setters at the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street warned on Thursday that a "sharp" contraction in economic activity around the globe was likely, alongside a "rapid" rise in unemployment across many economies.
Germany approves historic 750bn euro relief package, waves debt limit
Lawmakers in the euro area's largest economy waved the constitutional brake on debt limits as the country faces off against its hardest challenge since the Second World War.
US pre-open: Stocks set for mixed start amid reports of agreement on stimulus
Wall Street is set for a roughly flat start amid news of a preliminary agreement on Capitol Hill on a roughly $2trn stimulus package to see the country's economy through the coronavirus pandemic.
G7 pledges action to protect global economy during pandemic
The G7 has pledged to do “whatever is necessary” to help support the global economy, which has been sent reeling by the coronavirus pandemic.
US new home sales edge past forecasts in February
Sales of newly-built homes ran at a faster-than-expected clip last month.
Sharp bounce on Wall Street amid signs Senate near agreement on stimulus
Top Senate leaders appeared to be getting closer to a deal on a spending package to see the US economy through the coronavirus pandemic, although it remained to be seen if Democracts in the lower house of Congress could be brought onside.
Europe open: Stocks bounce on stimulus hopes, oil and gas shares jump
Stocks are putting in a decent bounce across the Continent, buoyed by reports of further fiscal stimulus in the pipeline.
US open: Stocks up as Fed acts again, Treasury pushes back tax deadline
Stocks on Wall Street started the session modestly higher as investors waited on news of Congress's fiscal stimulus package against the coronavirus pandemic.
Social distancing could be needed for most of 2020
Social distancing would need to be maintained during at least half of the year to stop intensive care units and the NHS from being overwhelmed by coronavirus cases, said government advisers.
Federal Reserve extends US dollar swap lines to nine more central banks
America's central bank moved rapidly to alleviate the impact from the scramble for US dollars as investors around the world sought out liquidity in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, including to several of the largest emerging economies.
US open: Stocks find slight bid despite dismal economic data
Shares on Wall Street got off to a slightly higher start helped by the latest moves from authorities to offset the fallout from the corovanirus pandemic and the immediate effect of efforts to contain it.
US jobless claims leap as Covid-19 slams hospitality and transportation
First time unemployment claims in the US leaped last week as the Covid-19 coronavirus disrupted activity across the accommodation, food and transportation sectors.
Italy death toll rises to record 475 in one day
The death toll in Italy has risen by a record 475 in one day to reach nearly 3,000, the biggest daily increase since the start of the coronavirus outbreak.
ECB launches additional 750bn euro PEPP asset purchase programme
The European Central Bank launched a new emergency bond buying programme, vowing to do "as much as necessary and for as long as needed".