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 […]
KC Fed’s George Prefers Shrinking Balance Sheet ‘Earlier Rather Than Later’
– ‘Time Has Come’ To Transition to More ‘Normal’ Monetary Stance – Urges FOMC Should ‘Take First Step’ to Tighten Monetary Policy – FOMC Could Raise Rates First, but Must Start to Shrink Balance Sheet By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank President Esther George asserted the need Tuesday for a […]
<strong>Powell Vows to Keep ‘Elevated’ Inflation From Getting ‘Entrenched;’ Doesn’t Say How</strong>
By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell pledges the Fed will act to prevent already “elevated” inflation from becoming further “entrenched” in congressional testimony prepared for delivery Tuesday morning. However, the Fed chief does not elaborate on how precisely he and his fellow policymakers will proceed to combat wage-price pressures in […]
Italy Pushes Digital Euro, Aims to Strengthen Single Currency in Post-Covid World- Sources
By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Italy is pushing for a “speedy” creation of a digital euro in a bid to strengthen the single currency, and it has now become a top post-Covid priority for the financial system, according to ruling coalition sources. “The pandemic has accelerated the process: there’s been a significant boost in […]
Eurozone Consumer Prices Rose More Than Expected in December
ZURICH (MaceNews) – Consumer prices in the Eurozone rose more than economists expected in December as energy prices continue to be the main inflation driver, according to the latest preliminary figures from Eurostat. Prices as measured by HICP were 5.0 percent higher in December of 2021 than they were a year ago, rising from a […]
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 […]
FOMC Minutes Reflect Surprising Amount of Discussion Re More Aggressive Tightening – But No Conclusions
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The latest minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee released Wednesday afternoon surprised the markets with the amount of discussion about potentially more aggressive than expected tightening moves, despite the lack of any conclusions. Not only did “many participants” judge that the appropriate pace of balance sheet runoff would likely be faster […]
<strong>Draghi’s Chances to Become Italy’s Next President Rise, Party Talks Start – Sources</strong>
By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Chances are rising that Prime Minister Mario Draghi will be Italy’s next head of state as parties start talks to reach a deal over the appointment, according to ruling coalition sources, even if it will be a “last-minute decision”. On Tuesday, lower house President Roberto Fico is expected to […]