Financial News
- Bob Mason
The ASX 200 and Hang Seng Index had mixed fortunes early in the Wednesday session. Property and tech stocks contributed to early gains for the HSI.
- Bob Mason
Service PMIs are in focus for the EUR, GBP, and USD, with the ECB, the Fed, and the PBoC also under the spotlight in the week ahead.
- Bob Mason
BTC returned to the $52,000 handle for the first time since 2021, while Senator Elizabeth Warren and SEC Chair Gary Gensler were under the spotlight.
- Vladimir Zernov
Five-year expectations for business conditions increased to the highest levels since December 2020.
- James Hyerczyk
In January, the producer price index (PPI) increased by 0.3%, surpassing the expected 0.1% rise, indicating complexities in the inflation scenario.
- Bob Mason
UK retail sales data sends yet more mixed signals for the Bank of England to decipher. Softer inflation may not be enough to trigger rate-cut discussions.
- Bob Mason
Coinbase delivered impressive Q4 earnings that were in stark contrast to Q3, highlighting the impact of the recent thawing of the crypto market winter.
- Vladimir Zernov
The absence of positive catalysts may push natural gas prices to new lows.
- James Hyerczyk
January retail sales dropped 0.8%, defying forecasts; Citi’s 0.6% estimate closest. Consumer spending shifts hint at trends.
- Eiko Sievert
Germany’s energy-intensive industries, low investment, ageing population and weak growth, rather than high government debt, represent challenges to its AAA credit rating – hence the need to reform the debt brake.
- Vladimir Zernov
Oil markets pulled back from session highs as traders reacted to the EIA report.
- Bob Mason
The UK CPI declined by 0.6% in January month-on-month, which may enable to BoE to begin talks about rate cuts. The labor market remains a bugbear.
- James Hyerczyk
In January, the Consumer Price Index unexpectedly rose to 0.3%, indicating stronger inflationary pressures in the economy.”
- Bob Mason
The UK unemployment rate fell from 3.9% to 3.8% in December, overshadowing a fall in wage growth. The latest numbers may test bets on a BoE rate cut.
- Bob Mason
It is an important week for the global financial markets, with the Australia, euro area, Japanese, and UK economies also under the spotlight.
- Bob Mason
The BTC-spot ETF market fueled a broad-based crypto rally, with BTC eyeing $50,000. However, SEC cases against Coinbase and Ripple remain focal points.
- James Hyerczyk
BLS revises December CPI to 0.2%, November to 0.2%, showing persistent inflation; December’s core CPI steady at 0.3%.
- Vladimir Zernov
Mild weather leads to light demand for natural gas, and market sentiment remains bearish.
- James Hyerczyk
Unemployment claims fall, insured rate drops to 1.2%, but rising moving averages reveal labor market complexity, impacting investor sentiment.
- Bob Mason
China consumer prices declined at a more marked rate year-over-year. However, a softer rate of decline in producer prices could signal a shift in demand.