Reuters US Economy

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose marginally last week, the latest suggestion that the economy was regaining some momentum as the year winds down. The smaller-than-expected increase in weekly jobless claims reported by the Labor Department on Thursday followed recent data showing retail sales …

US labor market resilience keeps economy afloat as year ends Read More »

By Amina Niasse NEW YORK (Reuters) – Mortgage rates fell to a six-month low this week to the lowest figure since June, indicating relief has come to prospective buyers on the back of a rallying bond market. The average fixed-rate 30-year mortgage fell to 6.67% as of Thursday from 6.95% the week prior, according to …

Mortgage rates continue to soften – Freddie Mac Read More »

By Curtis Williams HOUSTON (Reuters) – Oil and gas activity remained essentially unchanged in the fourth quarter and optimism waned as uncertainty jumped, a survey of oil and gas executives by the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank showed. Some of that uncertainty is centered around lower average oil prices and questions over OPEC’s ability to influence …

Optimism wanes among oil companies, Dallas Fed survey shows Read More »

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -Thousands of people took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Wednesday to protest against the government’s economic shock measures, in the first real test for Argentina’s new libertarian president, Javier Milei. Milei, who took office earlier this month on a promise to slash public spending, has announced sweeping plans to reform …

First protests in Argentina as groups react to Milei austerity plan Read More »

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican headline inflation likely increased in the first half of December, a Reuters poll showed on Wednesday, while the closely monitored core rate likely continued its decline. The expected slight acceleration of the headline rate would follow an uptick last month, which put the breaks on months of cooling inflation and …

Mexico inflation likely accelerated in early December, core rate seen easing: Reuters poll Read More »

By Mike Dolan LONDON (Reuters) – Like medieval King Canute’s unsuccessful attempt to command the incoming tide to stop, central banks’ attempts to push back against swelling interest rate cut bets seem forlorn. But like the story of the old Anglo-Norse monarch, there’s more to these old yarns than meets the eye. For many, the …

Column-Central Banks, King Canute and rate tide: Mike Dolan Read More »

BERLIN (Reuters) – German consumer sentiment is set to improve with the start of the new year, though whether the rise marks the beginning of a sustained recovery from a very low level for Europe’s biggest economy remains to be seen, a survey showed on Wednesday. The consumer sentiment index rose to -25.1 points heading …

German consumer sentiment to rise with start of new year -GfK Read More »

SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Chile’s central bank cut its benchmark interest rate on Thursday by 75 basis points to settle at 8.25% in a unanimous decision, as the nation’s monetary authority sees inflation pressures easing. In a statement, the central bank said its board believes that bringing inflation to its 3% target will require further cuts …

Chile’s central bank cuts benchmark interest rate to 8.25% Read More »

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand central bank Governor Adrian Orr said on Wednesday that surprisingly weak third quarter economic data was a “complex situation,” but there were other data points to be released before the next cash rate decision. Orr told a New Zealand parliament committee on Wednesday that the central bank …

RBNZ Governor Orr says weaker GDP ‘complex situation’ Read More »