Powell Cites ‘Significant Downside Risks’ To Jobs; Puts Less Emphasis On Inflation

– Can’t Ease Too Quickly, But Easing Too Slowly Would Mean ‘Painful” Job Losses By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell avoided giving an overt signal about what the Fed will do with interest rates later this month, but clearly leaned toward greater concern about a softening labor market than about […]

BofA Global Research: Managers Dumped Bonds in October Despite Expectations of Rate Cuts

By Vicki Schmelzer NEW YORK (MaceNews) –  Global investors dumped bonds in October, despite expectations of future Fed cuts and continued concern about rising inflation, according to Bank of America Global Research’s monthly fund manager survey, released Tuesday. In October, a net 24% of portfolio managers were underweight bonds, versus a net 3% underweight in […]

Japan LDP Leader Takaichi’s Premiership Prospects in Limbo After Sudden Exit of Coalition Partner, Stirring Market Uncertainty

By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Sanae Takaichi, who became the Liberal Democratic Party’s first female leader in early October, is facing a critical moment after the abrupt departure of its long-time coalition partner, Komeito, ending more than a quarter-century of alliance. The unexpected breakup could heighten volatility in Japanese stocks, government bonds and currency […]

Fed Officials Wrestle with Appropriate Policy Path amid Data Fog

By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – As they move closer to their penultimate monetary policy meeting of the year later this month, Federal Reserve policymakers continue to give mixed signals on the path of interest rates. While there have been overt calls for additional rate cuts, and while some officials have indicated an openness to […]

Japan Set to Have First Female Premier After LDP Leadership Victory -2-

By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Sanae Takaichi is poised to become Japan’s first female prime minister after winning the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership election on Saturday. Known for her conservative, right-leaning views, Takaichi has previously called for increasing government borrowing to stimulate the economy and has signaled in her willingness to reopen trade […]

US Sept Manufacturing ISM Weaker Overall as Tariff and Pricing Uncertainty Combines with Supply Chain Disruptions, Fewer Foreign Customers

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The Institute of Supply Management September reading of U.S. manufacturing showed overall momentum slowing though the index improved slightly to a still contractionary 49.1 and the report’s organizer warned that the weakening could be a leading indicator. “The panelists are clearly saying that their customers are just not ordering,” said Susan Spence […]

NY Fed’s Williams: FOMC Has ‘Balancing Act’ Between Inflation, Employment

– Monetary Policy Still Restrictive; To Make Meeting-by-Meeting Judgment on Risks – Employment Risks Up; Inflation Pressure Lessening; Tariffs Not As Bad As Feared – Other Fed Officials More Hesitant To Cut Funds Rate Furthermore By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – After cutting interest rates mid-month to guard against “undue” weakness in the labor market […]