Market Pulse - Currencies
Covid-19 takes its toll on US new home sales in December
New home sales in the US rose a bit less quickly than expected at the end of 2020 as the rising number of Covid-19 infections took its toll.
Interactive Brokers and Robinhood raise margin requirements for trading in GameStop
Two large online trading platforms moved to limit trading in shares of GameStop and other companies that had been caught up in the recent 'melt-up' in their share prices.
US gross domestic product continued to expand in Q4, as expected
America's economy continued expanding at the tail-end of 2020 with economists anticipating that the rebound from the Covid-19 crisis was set to continue.
US jobless claims drop unexpectedly during latest week
The number of Americans filing for unemployment claims slipped again during the latest week.
GameStop's stonking run collapses retail trading platforms
GameStop shares continued their recent surge in the middle of the week catapulted higher by continued market speculation.
IMF warns of heightened risks from slow rollout of vaccines in developing countries
The world's financial stability watchdog warned governments that emergency economic measures needed to be retained in order to stave off the risk of a "correction" in stock markets.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Covid-19 antibodies 100% effective in blocking infections
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals antibody cocktail severely curtails Covid-19 symptoms and infections, the results of a late-stage trial showed.
US consumer confidence edges past forecasts in January, Conference Board says
Consumer sentiment in the US was buoyed by gains in the stock market and federal stimulus checks at the start of 2020.
US house price growth outpaces economists' forecasts in November
The Federal Housing Finance Agency's national House Price Index notched up a month-on-month rise of 1. 0%, which pushed the year-on-year rate of increase to 11. 0% (consensus: 10. 4%).
US existing home sales jump forecasts in December
Sales of second-hand homes in the States sped past forecasts at the end of 2020, taking the full-year increase to its highest level since before the Great Financial Crisis.
US business activity jumps at the start of 2021, IHS Markit says
Business activity in the US jumped at the start of 2021 amid hopes that Covid-19 vaccines would put an end to the pandemic and in anticipation of the new administration's policies, the results of two surveys showed.
ECB keeps 'steady' stance, ready to adjust policy if needed Lagarde says
The European Central Bank kept all of its policy levers unchanged but did leave the door open to further easing if needed.
US housing starts grow more quickly than expected in December
Homebuilding in the US continued to accelerate at a brisk pace at the tail-end of the previous year.
US jobless claims fall slightly in latest week
US jobless claims undershot economists' forecasts slightly over the past week.
LME set to close its doors for first time since WWII
One of the last remaining open-outcry trading floors in the world may soon shut its doors for good.
US industrial output jumps past forecasts in December
Industrial output in the US jumped past forecasts at the end of December with across the board gains in all sub-sectors.
US consumer confidence only dips in January, University of Michigan says
Consumer confidence in the States only dipped at the turn of the year despite the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic and poor political headlines, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
Washington adds Xiaomi to military blacklist
The Trump administration has added Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi to its military blacklist.
US import prices jump past forecasts in December
The cost of goods purchases overseas rose at nearly twice the expected pace at the end of 2020, driven by higher fuel prices.
US jobless claims surge during latest week
The number of Americans filing for unemployment surged at the start of 2021.