International Economic
Russia returns some troops to base, says defence ministry
Russia has returned some of the troops gathered around Ukraine to their garrisons, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday, in a sign that it could be stepping back an invasion.
Euro area employment growth remains steady during the fourth quarter of 2021
Employment growth in the single currency area slowed at the end of last year but nevertheless continued to grow at a steady clip in annual terms.
German investor sentiment improves in February - ZEW
German investor sentiment improved more than expected in February amid expectations that Covid restrictions would be eased, according to a survey released on Tuesday by the ZEW Center for European Economic Research in Mannheim.
Broad rebound for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency prices despite Russia-Ukraine fears
After four sessions of declines, Bitcoin´s price ended with a moderately bullish close on February 14th that triggered a significant rebound in the cryptoasset market. The session lows were near $41,500 and eroded support at $42,000, but buyers came in to sustain the decline of recent days, triggered by fears around geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West because of what looks like an imminent invasion of Ukraine.
St.Louis Fed chief makes case for front-loading more policy tightening
A top US central bank official laid out the case on Monday for front-loading the removal of central bank accommodation, although he believed that was possible without disrupting markets.
Bitcoin suffers setback on Ukraine tensions and battles with price at $42,000
Bitcoin´s price has been falling for four consecutive sessions amid rising tensions on the Ukrainian border, with several countries evacuating their population due to the heating up of the conflict between Russia and the US. Washington warned that the Kremlin could invade Ukraine as early as this week and the drums of war are sounding louder and louder, prompting a widespread flight from risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
Impact on business confidence of a Russian invasion of Ukraine could be temporary
Despite the human tragedy that a war in Ukraine would cause, economists at Berenberg believed the most likely scenario would be a temporary impact on business and consumer confidence, and economic activity in Europe more generally, as well as prices.
UoM consumer sentiment falls to lowest reading in over ten years
A preliminary reading showed the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index fell sharply to 61. 7 in February, the lowest reading since October 2011 and well below forecasts for a slight rise from 67. 2 in January to 67. 5.
Federal Reserve to raise rates 7 times this year, says Goldman
Following Thursday’s strong US inflation print, Goldman Sachs now expects the US Federal Reserve to lift interest rates seven times this year, up from a previous forecast for five rate hikes.
U.S. CPI triggers crypto volatility and Bitcoin price crashes at $45,000 again
The cryptocurrency market suffered a highly volatile session, as it renewed its vows with Wall Street and was carried away by the falls of the New York Stock Exchange after the publication of the CPI data of the world's leading power. US inflation climbed to 7. 5% in January, the biggest rise since 1982, and the US trading floor suffered in the face of expectations that the US Federal Reserve will accelerate its monetary tightening. Bitcoin, which continues to act as a risk asset, fell as much as 6% in the February 10th session, but also left a positive note: a high above the $45,500 resistance.
IEA calls on OPEC+ to allow Middle East producers to boost output
Oil supplies from OPEC+ over the course of 2022 could undershoot the producer alliance's own goals by 1. 0bn barrels unless those member countries who have spare capacity on hand increase their output, the world's oil watchdog said.
Rates shock close to being priced-in, but negative growth shock just beginning, BoA says
The 'rates shock' that has sideswiped Wall Street is close to being priced-in but a negative 'growth shock' is only beginning, cautioned equity strategists at Bank of America.
ECB's Lagarde says all moves by central bank need to be 'gradual'
The European Central Bank's boss hit back overnight at critics, arguing that any action to bring inflation back into line needed to be "gradual", attributing record inflation readings to energy prices and pointing out that current wage pressures were "very moderate".
US CPI picks up more quickly than expected in January
The cost of living in the US picked up more quickly than expected at the start of 2022 amid broad-based gains among the various categories of goods and services.
EU cuts growth forecasts
The European Commission has cut its economic growth forecasts for 2022, after the year got off to a weaker-than-expected start.
Weekly US jobless claims drop more quickly than expected
The number of Americans filing for unemployment claims for the first time decreased by a bit more than anticipated last week.
Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies sustain gains amid news from Apple, BlackRock...
The cryptocurrency market is holding on to most of its gains achieved during recent sessions on Thursday, as Bitcoin's rally appears to have stalled at the $45,000 resistance. The digital currency par excellence reached this area on February 8th, when it recorded highs of more than a month and has held since then, consolidating the recent advance and leaving rising highs at the close. Specifically, on Wednesday, February 9th, it ended the day at $44,400, although it has since then retreated towards $43,800.
ECB may raise rates in 2022, Buba chief says
Interest rates in the single currency bloc may need to go higher as soon as 2022 as the costs of acting too slowly could be "significantly" higher, the new head of the German central bank said.
JP Morgan comes away 'bullish' from BP Q4 results, sees positive skew to consensus revisions
Analysts at JP Morgan reiterated their 'overweight' stance on shares of BP hailing the outfit's ability to deliver sector-leading total shareholder returns and positive 'skew' to consensus estimates for the company's earnings going forwards.
German exports unexpectedly jump
German exports rose unexpectedly at the end of 2021, official data showed on Wednesday.