Reuters US Economy

By Huw Jones LONDON (Reuters) – The European Union’s securities watchdog said on Thursday ratings agencies must ensure their assessments of collateralised loan obligations (CLOs) are accurate and independent after an investigation flagged the risk of undue market influence. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) said its investigation focused on Fitch Ratings, Moody’s and …

EU watchdog tells top credit raters to review CLO controls Read More »

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Tom Westbrook Oil prices defied worries over war in the Middle East and OPEC+ production cuts with a slump to five-month lows overnight, and are headed for their steepest annual drop since the lockdown year of 2020. Brent crude futures have fallen more …

Marketmind: Oil’s slide bolsters rate-cut wagers Read More »

By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union finance ministers will discuss changes to the EU’s fiscal rules on Thursday and Friday to reach a deal or bring positions closer on a reform that would offer countries tailor-made debt reduction paths and incentives to invest. Below are the main points of the new approach now …

Factbox-Main elements of the EU fiscal reforms now under negotiation Read More »

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. unit labor costs were much weaker than initially thought in the third quarter amid robust worker productivity, providing a boost to the Federal Reserve’s fight against inflation. The inflation outlook was further brightened by other data on Wednesday showing a moderation in wage growth in November. The reports …

Weak US third-quarter unit labor costs point to slowing inflation Read More »

SHANGHAI/HONG KONG (Reuters) – Moody’s negative outlook on China has intensified Beijing’s battle with market bears, raising pressure on the government for more forceful measures to prop up sinking stocks and stabilise the yuan as investor confidence deteriorates. In its Tuesday announcement, the ratings agency flagged weakening growth prospects, adding to mounting global concerns that …

Analysis-Moody’s outlook cut complicates Beijing’s ‘war’ against market bears Read More »

By Leika Kihara and Takahiko Wada TOKYO/Oita, Japan (Reuters) -Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino said an exit from ultra-loose monetary policy, if done properly, will reap benefits for the economy, signalling that an end to decades of super-low interest rates may be nearing. While signs from various data remain patchy, Japan is making …

BOJ’s deputy governor highlights benefits of ending ultra-easy policy Read More »

By Mike Dolan LONDON (Reuters) – Any real economy crunch from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s balance sheet rundown may have been softened to date, but the air is rapidly escaping from one of its key cushions. Whether last week’s rhetorical shift by the Fed acknowledges this potential crunch is an open question, but credit and …

Column-Deflating ‘QT cushion’ may have raised red Fed flag: Mike Dolan Read More »

By Joe Cash BEIJING (Reuters) – Declines in China’s exports likely slowed in November, a Reuters poll showed on Wednesday, amid mixed signs factories in the world’s second-largest economy may be finding their footing after a bruising slump in demand. Outbound shipments from China are expected to show a 1.1% drop in November from a …

China’s exports slump seen slowing as pockets of demand emerge- Reuters poll Read More »

By Stella Qiu SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia’s economy barely grew in the third quarter as exports flagged and households – reeling from a surge in mortgage payments – were reluctant to spend, suggesting rate hikes were working to restrain demand. Marking an eighth straight quarter of growth, albeit its slowest in a year, real gross …

Australia’s economy slows to a crawl, consumer spending surprisingly weak Read More »