Reuters US Economy

By Tetsushi Kajimoto TOKYO (Reuters) – Moody’s credit-rating firm would unlikely take negative rating action on Japan even if the government fails to meet its primary budget-balancing target next fiscal year, saying that the target should be considered a commitment to fiscal reform, its Japan sovereign analyst said on Monday. Christian de Guzman of Moody’s …

Moody’s Japan analyst urges reform while BOJ takes time to raise rates Read More »

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. existing home sales fell for a third straight month in May as record-high prices and a resurgence in mortgage rates sidelined potential buyers from the market. There was, however, some encouraging news on the housing market, with the National Association of Realtors reporting on Friday that housing inventory …

Record high prices, rising mortgage rates depress US home sales Read More »

By Carlos Vargas BOGOTA (Reuters) -Plenaries in Colombia’s lower house and Senate on Thursday both approved a request from the leftist government of President Gustavo Petro to increase the debt ceiling to $17.6 billion to finance its development plans and comply with payment terms. The vote comes amid warnings from analysts about the state of …

Colombia congress approves extension of debt ceiling to $17.6 billion Read More »

By Davide Barbuscia NEW YORK (Reuters) – The U.S. Federal Reserve is unlikely to cut interest rates this year as easier financial conditions will offset the impact of borrowing costs by keeping inflation sticky and the economy resilient, the chief economist of Apollo Global Management said. The U.S. central bank in December signaled an end …

Apollo Global chief economist expects no Fed cuts this year Read More »

FRANKFURT (Reuters) – European Central Bank policymaker Klaas Knot on Thursday backed market expectations for one or two more interest rate cuts this year as inflation appeared to be headed towards the ECB’s 2% target. The ECB began undoing its steepest ever streak of rate hikes earlier this month but left options open as to …

ECB’s Knot backs one or two more rate cuts this year Read More »

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Europe must foster greater political stability, cut red tape and reduce energy price volatility to reverse falling foreign direct investment, EY said after a survey of business leaders. The more than 500 executives surveyed by the consulting firm ranked political instability, including upcoming elections, populism and polarisation as the second-biggest risk for Europe, …

Business leaders see political instability as a threat to Europe Read More »

By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Commission said on Wednesday that France and six other countries should be disciplined for running budget deficits in excess of EU limits, with deadlines for reducing the gaps to be set in November. The move by the European Union’s executive arm is likely to constrain any plans for …

France and six other countries face EU budget discipline measures Read More »

By Cynthia Kim and Yena Park SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s foreign exchange authorities view the 1,385 level as a line in the sand for the won versus the dollar, two sources involved in the policy discussions told Reuters on Tuesday, citing recent measures to arrest the currency’s weakness. The Bank of Korea and the …

Exclusive-South Korea FX authorities aimed to cap dollar-won at 1,385, sources say Read More »