International Economic
UK consumer confidence near historic low, GfK says
Britons' outlook for the economy sank to its lowest level since the Great Financial Crisis, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
Morgan Stanley raises Q3 2022 Brent oil price forecast to $130
Analysts at Morgan Stanley said that an array of headwinds meant that oil demand in 2022 would be lower than previously thought.
US factory activity slows in April, Philly Fed says
Factory activity in the US mid-Atlantic region slowed in April amid faster price gains, the results of a closely-followed survey showed.
Initial US jobless claims hold near cycle lows
First time jobless claims in the US held near their cycle lows during the past week.
Euro area inflation records another jump in March
Euro area inflation continued to accelerate last month, as energy and industrial goods became dearer.
Bitcoin holds positions as US extends sanctions against Russia to cryptocurrency mining
For the first time in history, the US enacted economic sanctions against a cryptocurrency mining company. The US Treasury Department announced, via a statement, that it is taking action against companies in Russia's virtual currency mining industry, in a move that comes just after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that the Kremlin could use these operations to evade international economic punishments imposed for its invasion of Ukraine. For now, reaction in the cryptocurrency market has been almost non-existent, with Bitcoin and 'altcoins' consolidating their recent moves.
Eurozone industrial production rebounds
Eurozone industrial production rebounded in February, official data showed on Wednesday, fuelled by an increase in consumer goods.
German producer prices surge
German producer prices surged at a record rate last month, official data showed on Wednesday, as the war in Ukraine started to weigh heavily.
Bitcoin soars above $41,000 despite IMF warning that "will attract regulators"
Bitcoin leaves rallies on Wednesday to price levels above $41,000 and prolongs a recovery move initiated after touching five-week lows at $38,550 (in round numbers). Traders are doing their best to stay afloat above the $40,000 level, a key price for the bulls to continue the rally. However, analysts warn that the digital currency continues to consolidate in a wide range between $38,000 and $48,000.
IMF slashes global forecasts, warns of risks and still worse outcomes
The war in Ukraine will have many effects that will reach far and wide, not least by adding to price pressures and worsening the already stiff policy challenges faced by countries, the world's financial watchdog said.
US housing starts and building permits beat expectations in March
US housing starts unexpectedly edged 0. 3% higher to a seasonally adjusted annualised rate of 1. 793m in March - the highest since June 2006.
Bitcoin one step forward, one step back at $40,000: "Beware of market impatience"
Boredom in the cryptocurrency market. This is how most experts describe the price action of Bitcoin and the rest of the digital tokens, which continue to move in a wide price channel they have maintained for months, although the appearance looks depressed, with the queen of cryptos struggling to hold on to $40,000.
US consumer sentiment unexpectedly improves in April
US consumer sentiment unexpectedly improved in April, according to a survey released on Thursday by the University of Michigan.
US retail sales jump past forecasts in March
Americans continued spending at a brisk pace last month, albeit largely due to the impact of higher gasoline prices.
Initial jobless claims come in ahead of expectations
Americans filed new claims for unemployment benefits at an elevated clip in the seven days ended 9 April, according to the Labor Department.
ECB stands pat on rates, to end QE in third quarter
The European Central Bank left its key interest rates unchanged on Thursday as it confirmed plans to end its asset purchase programme in the third quarter.
US producer prices jump at fastest pace in at least a decade in March
Wholesale prices rose at their fastest clip in over a decade last month as energy prices continued to surge.
US inflation hits fresh 40-year high in March
Us inflation hit a fresh 40-year high in March as energy prices surged due to the war in Ukraine.
WTO cuts global trade growth forecast
The World Trade Organisation has cut its forecast for global trade growth this year, citing the impact of the Ukraine conflict.
NFIB small business optimism index sinks to lowest level in almost two years
The National Federation of Independent Business' small business optimism index declined for a third straight month in March, falling from 95. 7 in February to 93. 2 - the lowest since April 2020.