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Fed Governor Cautious Despite Recent Inflation "Bump"

Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler expressed cautious optimism about the US economy while acknowledging recent inflationary pressures in an interview on Friday, Bloomberg reports. While acknowledging that the economy is in a good place overall, Kugler stressed the need for further observation to ensure inflation is truly on a downward

China's Premier Calls for Swift Action to Boost Economy

China's leadership is urging local governments to act decisively to ensure a strong economic start to 2025, Premier Li Qiang stated, as reported by South China Morning Post. The call comes amid growing concerns about China's ability to sustain economic growth, given rising global uncertainties and

Repeat Defaults Hit Record High in Leveraged Loan Market: JPMorgan

A record number of companies repeatedly defaulted on their debt in 2024, according to a JPMorgan Chase & Co. report cited by Bloomberg. This trend underscores the continuing strain on corporate balance sheets, particularly within the leveraged loan market where interest rates are increasing. The JPMorgan report reveals that roughly

China's Central Bank Embarks on Historic Monetary Policy Overhaul

China's central bank is planning a major shift in its monetary policy, moving towards a more internationally aligned system based on interest rates, the Financial Times reports. This move aims to bring China's monetary policy closer to the practices of central banks like the US Federal

China Expands Consumer Subsidies to Boost Electronics Sales

China is expanding its consumer subsidy program to include smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, in a bid to revitalize sluggish consumer spending, according to a Friday announcement by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), as reported by the Wall Street Journal. The NDRC stated that the program, which currently incentivizes

US Manufacturing Shows Signs of Life as PMI Hits Nine-Month High

The US manufacturing sector showed signs of improvement in December, as reported by Reuters, citing data released by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) on Friday. According to the latest release, the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 49.3, its highest level since March. This represents a notable

Gold ETF Outflows Continue Despite Fed Easing and Record High Prices

Despite a year marked by record-high gold prices and the Federal Reserve's pivot towards easing monetary policy, investors continued to sell off gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the fourth consecutive year, reports Bloomberg. While the prospect of Fed interest rate cuts in 2024 initially boosted gold ETFs, the

China's Factory Growth Stumbles as US Trade Fears Weigh

China's factory activity expanded at a slower-than-anticipated pace in December, as overall sales were dampened by weakening export orders amid growing concerns about the trade outlook, as reported by the South China Morning Post, citing a private sector survey released Thursday. The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing

Transdniestria Braces for Cold as Russian Gas Cut-Off Hits

The breakaway Moldovan region of Transdniestria has been plunged into a heating and hot water crisis following Russia's cessation of gas supplies via Ukraine, as reported by Reuters. The move, effective Wednesday, has left the predominantly Russian-speaking territory of 450,000 people facing a harsh winter. "There

Russian Gas Era in Europe Ends as Ukraine Halts Transit

Russia's dominance over Europe's energy markets has come to an end with the complete cessation of Russian gas exports through Ukraine, as reported by Reuters. The halt, effective from 0500 GMT on New Year's Day, marks the culmination of a years-long shift in the