ECB’S KNOT: COVID VACCINE DOES NOT DISPEL ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY

— Stresses Fiscal Policy Must Undertake Havy Lifting Vs Q4 Downturn By Laurie Laird  LONDON (MaceNews) – The rapid development of a Covid vaccine is unlikely to provide a quick fillip to the battered European economy, according to a top European Central Bank official.  While welcoming the announcement of positive medical trial results released on […]

ITALY LIKELY TO ‘PRESS PAUSE’ ON MORE DEFICIT SPENDING; DEBT CONCERNS RISE – SOURCES

By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Italy’s ruling coalition parties are trying to limit further boosting pandemic deficit spending as fears of long-term debt sustainability rise, according to party officials.  Despite pledges made in recent weeks to do “whatever it takes” to tackle the COVID-19 second wave and reassure markets, the “intention is to avoid […]

GERMAN ECONOMIC SENTIMENT FALLS SIGNIFICANTLY IN NOVEMBER: ZEW

By Marco Babic ZURICH (MaceNews) – Concerns among investors about the impact of COVID-19 on Germany economy pushed the outlook sharply lower in November, according to the latest report from the ZEW institute in Mannheim. Economic sentiment fell in November to 39.0, down 17.1 points from the October result, and came in below expectations for […]

STATUS CHECK COMMENTARY- ONWARD TO THE BIDEN EITHER-OR PRESIDENCY

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Monday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes. First, everything is in the new context of Donald Trump not being Joe Biden’s problem any more. The angst of disappointment and the very emotional rejection of reality is not unexpected, surprising or […]

CLEVELAND FED’S MESTER: ECONOMY TO NEED CONTINUED MONETARY, FISCAL SUPPORT

–Fed Needs To Think About How Low Rates Affect Financial Risks By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Although the U.S. economy has been recovering “faster than anticipated,” the Federal Reserve still needs the assistance of fiscal policy in returning to full employment and a more acceptable inflation pace, Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank President Loretta Mester […]

STATUS CHECK – VIRUS HITS WHITE HOUSE – AGAIN; BIDEN APPEALS FOR CALM

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Friday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes. You had a dream, that there is now a president-elect and that all the uncertainty and anxiety of a long week started to fade away like long-ago birth pangs. In your dream President […]

DATA PREVIEW: A QUIET DATA WEEK GIVES INFLATION THE SPOTLIGHT

By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – With little key data scheduled and the Veterans’ Day holiday falling in the middle of the week, the October inflation readings will get their moment to shine – or to disappoint. As has been the case since the FOMC shifted its emphasis on inflation to the backburner, it will […]

DATA FLASH: US OCTOBER PAYROLLS RISE 638,000, UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 6.9%

–Private Jobs Surge 906,000, Led by Leisure, Business Services, and Retail By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The October employment report Friday showed that even an uptick in COVID-19 cases couldn’t stop the ongoing recovery, with a solid increase in payrolls and a further dip in the unemployment rate. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 638,000 in […]

DATA FLASH: US INITIAL CLAIMS SLIP; PRODUCTIVITY UP SHARPLY

–Initial Claims Decline By 7,000 to 751,000; 4-Week Average Slides–Nonfarm Productivity +4.9% as Output, Hours Worked Both Rebound By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – Initial claims fell by 7,000 to a level of 751,000 in the October 24 week, slightly above expectations for a decline to 745,000. The four-week moving average for initial claims declined by […]

BANK OF ENGLAND EXPANDS QE PROGRAMME; LEAVES RATES UNCHANGED

— Forecasts Q4 GDP Contraction Raises Speculation Negative Rates in 2021 By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – The Bank of England Thursday expanded its bond-buying programme but left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at its latest policy meeting, acknowledging the downside risks to forecasts as a second wave of coronavirus grips the country.  The Bank […]