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European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde

ECB seen struggling with mixed messages

The European Central Bank's policy signals do not seem to convince investors any more, analysts say, whether it is trying to raise their expectations for interest rates or lower them.

Business • 23 Jan 23

Just over half of the 50 US states are exhibiting signs of slowing economic activity, new Fed research shows

New Fed research flags rising risk of US recession

Just over half of the 50 US states are exhibiting signs of slowing economic activity, breaching a key threshold that often signals a recession is in the offing, new research from the St Louis Federal Reserve Bank report said.

Business • 30 Dec 22

Investors are poised for further interest rate increases from the US Federal Reserve tonight and the European Central Bank tomorrow

Investors poised for more interest rate increases

European stock markets have eased back slightly having soared yesterday in response to figures showing that the rate of inflation in the US continues to ease.

Business • 14 Dec 22

JPMorgan Chase & Co chief executive Jamie Dimon

US banks warn of recession as inflation hurts consumers

The biggest US banks are bracing for a worsening economy next year as inflation threatens consumer demand, according to executives.

Business • 07 Dec 22

US signals shift to slower interest rate increases

The dollar tumbled to a three-month low versus the yen as traders focused on comments by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell that interest rate hikes could be scaled back "as soon as December."

Business • 01 Dec 22

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits slipped 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 217,000 for the week ended October 29

US weekly jobless claims fall but layoffs picking up

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, suggesting the labour market remains strong despite slowing domestic demand amid stiff interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve to tame inflation.

Business • 03 Nov 22

ECB can't just mirror Fed moves, Lagarde says

The European Central Bank must be attentive to policy decisions by the US Federal Reserve, which influence global markets, but cannot just mirror its moves, ECB President Christine Lagarde said today after the Fed guided for more rate hikes.

Business • 03 Nov 22

The increase takes the Fed's benchmark lending rate to 3.75-4%, its highest in almost 15 years

US Federal Reserve raises rates by a further 0.75%

The US Federal Reserve has announced a fourth consecutive, steep interest rate hike of 0.75%.

Business • 02 Nov 22

Sterling had started the day in a positive position against the dollar, but fell back in later trade

Sterling dips ahead of Bank of England decision

Sterling reversed earlier gains against the dollar and euro in later trade as markets braced for policy decisions from the Bank of England on benchmark interest rates aimed at curbing soaring inflation.

Business • 02 Nov 22

US GDP increased at a 2.6% annualised rate last quarter after contracting at a 0.6% pace in the second quarter.

US economic growth rebounds in Q3, but demand stalling

US economic growth rebounded strongly in the third quarter amid a shrinking trade deficit, new figures show today, but the figures overstate the economy's health as domestic demand was the weakest in two years because of the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hikes.

Business • 27 Oct 22

The US consumer price index rose 0.4% last month after gaining 0.1% in August, the Labor Department said today

US inflation increases more than expected in September

US consumer prices increased more than expected in September and underlying inflation pressures continued to build up, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve will deliver a fourth 75-basis points interest rate hike next month.

Business • 13 Oct 22

Non-farm payrolls increased by 263,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department today

US sees solid jobs growth, unemployment rate hits 3.5%

US employers hired more workers than expected in September, while the unemployment rate dropped to 3.5%, pointing to a tight labour market which keeps the Federal Reserve on its aggressive monetary policy tightening campaign for a while.

Business • 07 Oct 22

Sterling continues to languish near a record low on concerns over Britain's radical tax cuts to spur growth

Pound falls after Bank of England jumps into market

Sterling tumbled against the dollar today before paring some losses after the Bank of England (BOE) said it would step in to prop up the gilt market, and the dollar index touched a fresh 20-year high trading was volatile.

Business • 28 Sep 22

Crude oil demand in China, the world's largest oil importer, has started to rebound

Oil rises on Chinese demand, geopolitical risks

Oil rose today on supply concerns and as a Bank of England interest rate hike defied some expectations of a larger increase.

Business • 22 Sep 22

Sterling falls after Russian President Vladimir Putin's speech

Putin speech sends sterling to fresh 37-year low

The pound touched a new 37-year low against the dollar today after Russian President Vladimir Putin's accusation of "nuclear blackmail" by the West boosted the safe-haven dollar.

Business • 21 Sep 22

US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell at the Jackson Hole central bankers' gathering

Fed's Powell sees inflation fight lasting 'some time'

The US economy will need tight monetary policy "for some time" before inflation is under control, which means slower growth, a weaker job market and "some pain" for households and businesses, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said today.

Business • 26 Aug 22

Benchmark oil contracts are on track for gains of around 3% for the week

Oil prices fall after US Fed chair warning

Oil prices fell on Friday, after the head of the US Federal Reserve warned there is no quick cure for inflation, while talk of a hefty European Central Bank rate hike also stoked demand worries.

Business • 26 Aug 22

US gross domestic product shrank at a 0.6% annualised rate last quarter, new figures show today

US economy contracts in second quarter

The US economy contracted at a more moderate pace than initially thought in the second quarter as consumer spending blunted some of the drag from a slower pace of inventory accumulation, dispelling fears that a recession was underway.

Business • 25 Aug 22

US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell

Powell leaves kid gloves behind ahead of Jackson Hole

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's message on inflation and interest rates at this year's Jackson Hole central banking conference in Wyoming will strike a tone entirely different from the soothing one he used at the same event just one year ago.

Business • 25 Aug 22

The euro/dollar's direction this week has largely been driven by soaring natural gas prices

Euro bounces back above parity as sentiment improves

The euro rebounded back above parity with the dollar today as the US currency's recent rally ran out of steam and investors waited to see whether Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell would sound a more hawkish tone at a meeting this week.

Business • 25 Aug 22

US inflation - on a yearly basis - eased slightly to 8.5% in July as fuel prices fall

US annual inflation eases to 8.5% as fuel prices fall

US annual inflation eased slightly in July as fuel prices fell, but remained stubbornly high at 8.5%, according to official data today.

Business • 10 Aug 22

Fed officials coalesced behind aggressive rate hikes as they watched inflation accelerate this year

Fed's united front on interest rates may soon be tested

Federal Reserve officials are likely to hit a key milestone this week with an interest rate hike that effectively ends pandemic-era support for the US economy and begins to test whether growth can continue without the central bank's active help.

Business • 25 Jul 22

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits jumped 9,000 to a seasonally adjusted 244,000 for the week ended July 9, the US Labor Department said today

US weekly jobless claims rise for second week in a row

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose for a second week in a row last week, suggesting some cooling in the labour market amid tighter monetary policy and financial conditions.

Business • 14 Jul 22

Investors weigh tight supplies against the prospect of a large US rate hike that would stem inflation and curb crude demand

Oil down over $4 ahead of potential large US rate hike

Oil prices fell more than $4 today as investors focused on the prospect of a large US rate hike later this month that could stem inflation but at the same time hit oil demand.

Business • 14 Jul 22

The consumer price index increased 1.3% last month after advancing 1.0% in May, the Labor Department said.

US inflation reaches 40 year high in June

US consumer prices accelerated in June as fuel and food costs remained elevated, resulting in the largest annual increase in inflation in over 40 years and cementing the case for the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates by 75 basis points later this month.

Business • 13 Jul 22

US Federal Reserve

ECB seen struggling with mixed messages

New Fed research flags rising risk of US recession

Investors poised for more interest rate increases

US banks warn of recession as inflation hurts consumers

US signals shift to slower interest rate increases

US weekly jobless claims fall but layoffs picking up

ECB can't just mirror Fed moves, Lagarde says

US Federal Reserve raises rates by a further 0.75%

Sterling dips ahead of Bank of England decision

US economic growth rebounds in Q3, but demand stalling

US inflation increases more than expected in September

US sees solid jobs growth, unemployment rate hits 3.5%

Pound falls after Bank of England jumps into market

Oil rises on Chinese demand, geopolitical risks

Putin speech sends sterling to fresh 37-year low

Fed's Powell sees inflation fight lasting 'some time'

Oil prices fall after US Fed chair warning

US economy contracts in second quarter

Powell leaves kid gloves behind ahead of Jackson Hole

Euro bounces back above parity as sentiment improves

US annual inflation eases to 8.5% as fuel prices fall

Fed's united front on interest rates may soon be tested

US weekly jobless claims rise for second week in a row

Oil down over $4 ahead of potential large US rate hike

US inflation reaches 40 year high in June

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