FOMC: Qtr Point Hike As Expected; Few Specifics on Future Action
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The Federal Open Market Committee Wednesday fulfilled expectations for a quarter-point fed funds rate hike, the first such since 2018, accompanied by a pledged to begin pulling back Treasury and Agency securities holdings “at a coming meeting.” The text follows: Indicators of economic activity and employment have continued to strengthen. Job gains […]
Strong Earthquake Hits Northeastern Japan, Causing Power Cuts
–Tokyo Electric Monitoring Spent Nuclear Fuel Facilities in Fukushima (MaceNews) – A powerful earthquake shook the northeastern Tohoku region in Japan late on Wednesday, triggering tsunami warnings along the Pacific coast of Miyagi and Fukushima, two prefectures hit hard by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster. The 7.3 magnitude tremor struck 60 km below the […]
Japan February Exports Post 12th Straight Y/Y Rise After Slower January Growth
–Imports Up on Rising Energy Prices, Leading to 7th Straight Trade Deficit –Exports to China Rebound After Irregular Shipments Around Lunar New Year –Auto Exports Rebound Amid Lingering Supply Constraints By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese exports rose from a year earlier for the 12th straight month in February, picking up from slower growth in […]
Rome Resumes Role On Euro-Atlantic Stage, Common Stance with US ‘Key’ In Ukraine Crisis Exit – Sources
–Ukraine’s Zelensky to address Italian lower house ROME (MaceNews) – Italy has resumed a ‘key role’ on the Euro-Atlantic stage in working on an exit from the Ukraine crisis after hosting the US-China meeting, according to sources comprising the ruling coalition. Monday’s meeting in Rome between US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and top Chinese […]
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 […]
Text: G7 Details Current and Future Sanctions Vs Russia
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is the joint statement statement Friday by the Group of Seven countries, detailing new current sanctions and anticipated future sanctions being imposed on Russia: We the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) remain resolved to stand with the Ukrainian people and government who heroically resist Russian President Vladimir Putin’s […]
Japan January Household Spending Rebounds Y/Y on Less Strict Covid Rules
–Spending in January Dips Vs. December Amid Omicron-Led Spike in Covid Cases –Ministry Sees Spending As Largely Flat, To Watch Impact of Restrictions on February By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s household spending slipped back on the month in January, hit by the drag from the Omicron-led spike in Covid cases, but posted the first […]
ECB Cuts Asset Purchases, Could Exit QE in Q3
— Rate Hikes to Come ‘Some Time After’ Asset Purchases End LONDON (MaceNews) – The European Central Bank surprised forecasters, announcing a reduction in asset purchases over the second quarter and raising the possibility of a rate hike this year, following the conclusion of Thursday’s governing council meeting. Purchases under the long-running Asset Purchase Programme will […]
As Italy Government Tackles Thorny Reforms, Cracks in Majority Weaken Support for Draghi – Sources
By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Rome’s push to tackle thorny reforms is opening more cracks among governing coalition partners, undermining support for Prime Minister Mario Draghi at a time when the Ukraine crisis calls for unity, ruling party officials say. Draghi is trying to push through parliament fiscal reforms aimed at simplifying the tax […]
Foreign Ministers of Russia and Ukraine Complete Unproductive Meeting in Turkey
(MaceNews) – Foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine, Sergei Lavrov and Dmitry Kuleba, completed their meeting in the Turkish Mediterranean resort town of Antalya, the highest-level meeting between the two post-Soviet states on the15th day of shocking bloodshed in Europe since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24th. There was no progress to report but the […]