International Economic
US mortgage applications fall as mortgage rates increase
US mortgage applications fell 7. 1% in the week ended 21 January, the sharpest decline in two months, with the refinancing index plunging 12. 6% and the purchase index slipping 1. 8%, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
There is no rush to proclaim cryptowinter if Bitcoin holds $30,000
Every time there is a notable plunge in the cryptocurrency market, pessimists rush to proclaim that the bubble has burst and the dreaded cryptowinter is knocking at the doors. This time proves no different and numerous analysts claim that the bloodletting of the last few days, which slowed slightly below $33,000, a six-month low of January 24th, is good proof that the lean times are coming for cryptoassets. However, the $30,000 barrier remains intact and, with it, the long-term uptrend.
Former ambassador to Nato sees diplomatic path out of Ukraine crisis
There was a way out of the current crisis in Ukraine, a former US ambassador to Nato during the Clinton administration argued recently.
US house prices continue growing at near-record pace in November, S&P says
A record surge in US home prices barely slowed towards the end of November, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
US consumer confidence deteriorates in January
US consumer confidence deteriorated in January as short-term expectations weakened, according to a survey released on Tuesday.
IMF downgrades expectations for global economic recovery in 2022
The International Monetary Fund cut global growth forecasts on Tuesday, citing a number of threats to the world's economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
German business sentiment improves in January - Ifo
German business sentiment unexpectedly improved in January, according to a survey released on Tuesday by the Ifo Institute.
Bitcoin and 'altcoins' keep their rebound amid market jitters
The rebound that took place on Monday in the cryptocurrency market, with Bitcoin clearly rebounding after touching six-month lows at $33,000, is still alive and well for the queen of digital currencies. Meanwhile, this optimism has ended up being transmitted to the 'altcoins'. Satoshi Nakamoto's creation left a high on January 24th above $37,000 and, more importantly, closed above $36,000. Now, experts expect it to consolidate around $35,000, while keeping their eye on the $30,000 barrier, vitally important support for the crypto asset.
Activity in US services sector comes to near standstill in January, survey shows
The arrival of the Omicron variant in the US brought activity in the country's services sector to a near standstill, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
Gold prices continue to push higher
Gold prices pushed higher on Monday, fuelled by ongoing geopolitical concerns and rising inflation.
Euro area services slow sharply in January even as supply chain issues in manufacturing ease
Economic activity in euro area services slowed more sharply than expected in January as renewed Covid-19 restrictions on account of Omicron led to a marked slowdown, the results of closely-followed surveys revealed.
Bitcoin and other cryptos extend their post-massacre lows ahead of Fed meeting
The cryptocurrency market fails to find stability on Monday, after the bloodbath that was unleashed on Bitcoin and other digital assets since last Friday, with a fall of more than 15% for the creation of Satoshi Nakamoto, which accumulates a correction of 50% since its all-time high of November 2021. The cryptocurrency par excellence extends its recent lows to $33,700, its worst change since the end of last July, while the figure of $30,000 is the destination that numerous experts predict for falls that are far from over.
Crunch time for US-Russia talks in Geneva
Russia's top diplomat to the European Union hopes that talks with the US on Friday in Geneva will help ease current tensions.
Bitcoin plunges to five-month lows amid crypto selling spree
Bitcoin suffered sharp falls of around 7%, amid a wave of selling in the cryptocurrency market that has led the most traded of the digital currencies to mark five-and-a-half-month lows and, more importantly, reach the important support of $40,000. The digital asset, that closed Thursday at this price level, following Wall Street's declines because of Netflix, has continued to drain positions to $38,500. Meanwhile, almost $150 billion has evaporated from the market, whose capitalization is $1.
Philly Fed manufacturing index edges past forecasts at the start of 2022
Activity in the us mid-Atlantic region picked up the pace last month with new orders, shipments and delivery times both improving.
US existing home sales decline in December
US existing home sales fell in December as higher prices and record low inventory levels shut out first-time buyers.
US initial jobless claims unexpectedly rise last week
Americans made first-time unemployment benefit claims at a higher than expected clip last week, driven by an increased number of Covid-19 cases that disrupted business activity across the nation.
ECB does not need to react as quickly as the Fed, Lagarde says
The European Central Bank should not raise interest rates as quickly as the Federal Reserve, Christine Lagarde told French media.
Euro area CPI rises as expected in December on inflation in services
The cost of living in the single currency bloc rose as expected last month amid a jump in services and energy prices.
German producer prices clock in with fastest rise ever in December
A surge in natural gas prices stoked the fastest pace of increase in German producer prices ever at the end of 2021.