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 […]

Japan Government Keeps Economic Pickup View After December Upgrade

— Consumers Brave Omicron Scare in Year-End, New Year Leisure Season — Production Improving on Easing Supply Constraints By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government Tuesday maintained its economic overview after upgrading it last month for the first time in 17 months, saying consumer spending is picking up — despite rising Covid cases — and […]

BOJ Keeps Easing Stance, Sees Clearer Economic Pickup, Slight CPI Uptick

— BOJ Revises Down FY21 GDP Forecast, Upgrades FY22 Growth View — BOJ Board’s CPI Outlook for FY22, FY23 Revised Up Slightly to Just Above 1% — BOJ Vows to Continue Monetary Support Until 2% Inflation Target Achieved By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan said Tuesday it is maintaining its interest rate […]

BOC Q4 Survey: Business Sentiment Up on Capacity Pressures, Demand Pickup

— Survey Conducted Nov. 15-Dec. 6, Before Surge in Omicron-Led Covid Cases — 67% of Firms in Canada See Above 3% Inflation Over 2 Years Vs. 45% in Q3 — BOJ Nov Consumer Survey: More Concerned About Inflation, Hard To Control By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Sentiment among companies in Canada continued improving toward the […]

NY Fed’s Williams: ‘Makes Sense’ To Begin To Remove Accommodation

‘Dramatic’ Job Gains, High Inflation Means ‘Approaching’ Liftoff Doesn’t Expect Steep Rate Hikes; Rejects ‘Extreme Scenarios’ Funds Rate Should Go ‘Somewhere Above 2% Down The Road’ Unclear How Long After Liftoff Balance Sheet Shrinkage Will Start Not As Long As Last Time By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – New York Federal Reserve Bank President John […]

Highlights of Fed’s Brainard Q&A: Emphasizes Fed’s Anti-Inflation Efforts

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following are highlights of Thursday’s testimony of Federal Reserve Gov. Lael Brainard as noted by Mace News’ Steven K. Beckner: Fed Governor Lael Brainard was quite assertive about fighting inflation in testimony before a Senate Banking Committee hearing on her confirmation to succeed Richard Clarida as Fed Vice Chairman. First, she […]

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 […]

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 […]