German Economic Sentiment Plunges on Ukraine, Sanctions, ZEW Reports

ZURICH (MaceNews) – Economic sentiment in Germany fell by a historic margin in March, as the war in Ukraine and resulting sanctions against Russia pushed the ZEW institute’s measure of economic sentiment into sharply negative territory. The ZEW measure of economic sentiment plunged 93.6 points in March to a reading of -39.3 from the February […]

Ukraine War Expected to Speed Birth of EU Army – Italy Sources

–Plan would create EU rapid deployment force to cope with emergencies –Joint force aimed at supplementing NATO, boosting European military defense By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – The Ukrainian crisis is bound to accelerate the creation of a European Union military force and move toward a common defense policy, which the EU now lacks, said […]

Pres Biden: Haven’t Verified Any Russia Withdrawal; GOP Prepares Sanctions Bill

By Eric Ham WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – President Biden Tuesday said he has not verified Russia claims it is withdrawing some forces from nearby Ukraine as Republicans prepare their own sanctions legislation. In a brief statement delivered as U.S. stocks were posting gains on the possibility of a Russian drawdown, the president tempered the optimism with […]

Economic Sentiment Improved in Germany During February, ZEW Says

ZURICH (MaceNews) – Economic sentiment in Germany improved in February, up 2.6 points to 54.3, according to the latest report from the Mannheim-based ZEW Institute. Today’s result was exactly in line with the median of 54.3 in an Econoday survey of economists’ forecasts. Moreover, current conditions were also seen in a more positive light, improving […]

German Ifo Jan. Business Sentiment Starts the Year on an Improved Note

ZURICH (MaceNews) – Sentiment among German businesses rose in January, reversing a series of declines since July, led by higher expectations according to the latest report from the Ifo Institute in Munich. Ifo’s Business Climate Index rose to 95.7 in January from a revised 94.8 (94.7) in December. The result is better than the slight […]

German Economic Outlook Starts the Year on a Strong Note, ZEW Report Shows

ZURICH (MaceNews) – Economic sentiment in Germany came in well above expectations in January indicating that the economy is seen improving in the coming six months, as COVID cases are seen falling by summer, the latest report from the Mannheim-based ZEW institute showed. ZEW’s Index of Economic Sentiment rose to 51.7 in January from 29.9 […]

Italy Backs EU Council’s Switch To Qualified Majority Voting, ‘Key’ To Boost Integration

By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Italy supports switching from unanimity in votes on tax and defense policy within the European Council to a qualified majority, which according to ruling coalition sources will speed up the decision-making and integration process. The proposal of changing the voting system within the EU Council, which represents member states, […]

Italy-France Pushing for ‘Single EU Debt’ to Fund Post-Pandemic Growth; Germany’s Stance on Closer Fiscal Integration in Post-Merkel Era Uncertain – Sources

By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Italy and France are pushing for issuance of a ‘common European public debt’ to fund long-term pro-growth investments with the additional goal of strengthening the single currency and boosting European integration, Italian official sources say. Sources say Europe faces a turning point with the departure of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, […]

Germany’s Consumer Prices Rose 5.2% From a Year-Ago; Energy Costs up 22.1%

ZURICH (MaceNews) – Consumer prices in Germany increased 5.2 percent in November from a year ago, up from 4.5 percent in October and exceeding economists’ expectations, according to preliminary data released by the Federal Statistics Office Destatis. Prices were driven higher by a 22.1 percent annual increase in energy costs, but Destatis also noted a […]

ECB’S Schnabel: Forecasts Show November is High Point of Inflation

ZURICH (MaceNews) – Currently surging inflation is seen peaking in November and then moving lower to once again fall below two percent, ECB governing council member Isabel Schnabel said in an interview Monday with Germany’s ZDF broadcaster. Inflation in the coming year will recede in direction of the ECB’s goal of 2 percent and many […]