International Economic
PBOC cuts benchmark lending rate for first time in 20 months
China’s central bank cut its lending benchmark loan prime rate (LPR) on Monday for the first time in 20 months as it looks to underpin the slowing economy.
Soaring energy costs propel Eurozone inflation to record high
Eurozone inflation surged to its highest rate on record in November, official data confirmed on Friday, as energy costs surged.
EU new car registrations fall for fifth month as chip shortage lingers
European Union new passenger car registrations fell for the fifth consecutive month in November, according to industry data released on Friday, with the number sliding 20. 5% year-on-year to 713,346 units.
German business sentiment deteriorates in December
German business sentiment deteriorated in December amid worries about coronavirus, according to a survey released on Friday by the Ifo Institute.
"Many were hoping for Bitcoin to reach $100,000, now they are hoping for half that"
The selling session that Wall Street experienced on Thursday weighed on cryptographic assets, as Bitcoin once again threatened the support level it maintains at $47,000. However, the digital currency managed to close above this price, while the rest of the altcoins outperformed the queen of cryptos. If anything, the cryptocurrency's performance shows exhaustion, as indicated by most analysts, as total cryptoasset capitalization consolidates around the $2. 2 trillion mark for quite some time now.
BOJ winds back stimulus but extends support for small firms
The Bank of Japan on Friday said it would wind back emergency Covid pandemic-funding but extended financial relief for small firms.
US housing starts jump past forecasts in November
Homebuilding activity surprised to the upside last month on the back of mild weather and inventory building in reaction to stronger demand and higher prices.
US initial jobless claims come in higher than expected
Claims for unemployment benefits came in higher than expected in the seven days ended 11 December after having hit their lowest level since 1969 the week before.
Philly Fed index slumps in December, but supply pressures ease
Manufacturing activity in the US mid-Atlantic region slowed sharply at the end of 2021, even as supply chain pressures eased.
ECB to phase out pandemic stimulus
The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged on Thursday as it said it would phase out its emergency bond-buying programme and increase other stimulus measures.
Will there be a Christmas rally for Bitcoin and Ethereum, post-Fed?
Cryptocurrency market traders´s worst fears were not confirmed on Wednesday, despite the fact that the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) monetary policy decision met exactly what the analysts' consensus predicted. The world's most powerful central bank doubled down on 'tapering' and now foresees rate hikes in 2022. Also, the risk of inflation is "becoming more persistent" and "real", according to Fed Chairman, Jerome Powell. However, Bitcoin, Ethereum and most 'altcoins' show a rebound that, although modest, proves right all those who proclaimed that cryptoassets had already discounted the monetary supervisor's move after their recent falls.
Eurozone growth slows as Covid-19 hits services
The eurozone economy slowed in December as the effect of rising coronavirus infection rates on the region's service sector more than offset stronger manufacturing growth, a survey showed.
Federal Reserve accelerates taper, doesn't commit to calendar for rate hikes
The Federal Reserve announced that it would taper its asset purchase programme more quickly, as expected, likely paving the way for interest rate hikes in 2022.
UK inflation to peak above 6% in April 2022, says Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank said on Wednesday that it now expects headline consumer price inflation to peak above 6% in April next year, marking the highest annual rate of inflation since the Bank of England's independence in 1997.
US retail sales rise less quickly than expected in November
Americans consumed with a little less abandon than expected last month, spending less on automobiles and parts and on electronics.
Natural gas prices drive US import costs higher in November
The cost of goods purchased from overseas increased more quickly than expected during the previous month, chiefly as a result of dearer natural gas prices.
Upside surprise in Empire State index for December, price gauges ease a little
Manufacturing activity in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's district picked up slightly at the end of the year, to the surprise of economists.
Factory output strengthens in China, but Covid fears hit retail sector
Chinese factory output unexpectedly grew in December, but both retail sales and investment growth missed forecasts, official data showed on Wednesday.
Will the Fed end the dip in cryptos prices or will we see Bitcoin at $40,000 and Ethereum at $3,000?
The technical appearance of Bitcoin and Ethereum deteriorated significantly during the month of December, to the point that even the most bullish in the long term do not dare to point out what may happen in the short term. However, the cryptoassets market maintain the narrative that the falls of the last few sessions are entirely due to the US Federal Reserve (Fed), so what the central bank declares will be key and will set the course until the end of the year.
Omicron will dent but not upend oil recovery, IEA says
The Omicron variant will dent global oil requirements but not derail the recovery in demand, the International Energy Agency said.