FED BEIGE BK SEES MODEST EXPANSION, HIGHER PRICES, SOME COOLING OF EXPECTATIONS, SOME SUPPLY CHAIN STABILIZATION
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The latest Beige Book survey of economic conditions coast-to-coast saw a “modest” pace of expansion as 2021 ended, with some cooling of the generally optimistic expectations for the new year and some scattered improvement in transportation bottlenecks, the Federal Reserve reported Wednesday. The survey, assembled by the Kansas City Fed through January […]
Berlusconi’s Potential Run For Italy’s Presidency Triggers Political Chaos – Sources
By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – The potential candidacy of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to the top office of Italy’s presidency is raising political chaos at a critical time when parties should seek a compromise on a high level, impartial figure to elect, according to political sources. After having faced 36 trials the scandal-ridden […]
Fed’s Powell Reassures on Balance Sheet Runoff, Rate Hikes, Ultimate Control of Inflation – With Reservations
–Labor Supply Can Become an Issue Going Forward for Inflation–Whether There are Three Rate Hikes This Year Depends on Data By Denny Gulino WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – Without getting too specific, Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell Tuesday pledged to quickly leave behind the era of emergency measures, fighting inflation while aware its current causes are largely […]
Japan November Household Spending Slumps As Stay-at-Home Demand Eases
— Decline in Covid Cases Leads People To Resume Commuting, Traveling— But Shift to More Activity Fails to Offset Lower Spending on Utilities By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s household expenditures unexpectedly slipped in November from both the previous year and month as a decline in Covid cases prompted more people to travel and resume […]
Italy to Replicate US-Denominated Bonds Issuance in 2022, Further Lengthen Debt Life – Sources
By Silvia Marchetti ROME (Mace News) – Italy’s government plans to issue even more U.S.-denominated bonds this year through regular, “predictable” placements aimed at boosting its role of frequent issuer, according to ruling coalition sources. The goal is to keep diversifying the investors base through new issuances in foreign currencies both in the Global and […]
Japan November Factory Output Surges on Further Easing in Supply Bottlenecks
— METI Upgrades View: Factory Output Shows ‘Signs of Pickup’ Vs. ‘Pausing’ — METI Warns of Uncertainty Caused by Pandemic, Materials Shortages By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s industrial production posted the second straight monthly rise in November, at a rate higher than forecast, as supply chain disruptions eased further to help carmakers recover some […]
Japan Nov Unemployment Ticks Up; Job Cuts Linger in Pandemic-Hit Sectors
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Improvement in the Japanese labor market paused in November as job cuts continued in some sectors hit by supply chain constraints and cautious consumer behavior during the pandemic, data released Tuesday by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed. The seasonally adjusted average unemployment rate in Japan rose to […]
Japan Nov Retail Sales Up on Fuel Price Rise, Eased Covid Restrictions 
— METI Revises Up View: Retail Sales Showing ‘Signs of Pickup’ Vs. ‘Flat’ — Vehicles Sales Drop Smaller As Supply Chain Constraints Alleviated By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese retail sales posted a second straight year-on-year rise in November, with the pace of increase accelerating from October as fuel prices continued rising and people went […]
Japan Nov Core CPI Posts Solid Gain Amid Rising Energy, Processed Food Costs 
— Core, Total CPI Measures Mark 3rd Straight Y/Y Gains on Tight Supply — Core-Core CPI (Excluding Fresh Food, Energy) Down For 8th Month in A Row By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Consumer prices in Japan picked up their pace of year-on-year increase in November, led by rising utilities, fuels and processed food costs amid […]
Japan Govt Upgrades View: Economy Pickup Firmer As Covid Rules Ease
–Upward Revision 1st in 17 Months Since July 2020, when Covid Cases Ebbed–Govt Sees Consumption, Business Sentiment Firmer But Capex Pickup Pausing By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government Tuesday upgraded its economic overview for the first time in 17 months in light of a steady improvement in consumer spending after the government eased its […]