Reuters US Economy

By Jan Lopatka PRAGUE (Reuters) – Central bankers across central Europe have doubled down on their hawkish policy messages in the past two weeks in a bid to persuade investors to ditch bets that they will soon begin an easing cycle, and their message is starting to gain traction. Their policy warnings come despite a …

Central Europe’s policymakers double down on hawkish message Read More »

ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece’s economy will grow by 2.2% in 2023, its central bank chief said on Friday, urging the country to stick to the path of reform and fiscal prudence as it enters a period of increased political uncertainty due to elections. Greece will hold a general election on May 21, weeks before the …

Greek economy to grow 2.2% in 2023, prudence pivotal – cenbank chief Read More »

By Tetsushi Kajimoto and Yoshifumi Takemoto TOKYO (Reuters) – The Bank of Japan (BOJ) should be cautious about changing its unconventional monetary policy for now, given financial market uncertainty due to problems in Western banks, former top financial diplomat Takehiko Nakao told Reuters in an interview. Nakao made the comments amid speculation the BOJ may …

BOJ must be cautious about changing easy money policy too soon – ex-MOF Nakao Read More »

By Anant Chandak BENGALURU (Reuters) – The Bank of Korea will opt to support a rapidly slowing economy by holding its main interest rate at 3.50% on Tuesday, according to a Reuters poll of economists that showed a slim majority now expect a 25-basis-point cut by the end of 2023. Policymakers at the BoK, who …

Bank of Korea to hold base rate at 3.50%, may cut by end of year – Reuters poll Read More »

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s real wages fell in February for an eleventh month, labour ministry data showed on Friday, although the rate of the decrease slowed thanks to government energy subsidies aimed at curbing consumer inflation. While major Japanese firms concluded annual labour talks with the largest pay rises in about three decades, higher prices …

Japan February real wages fall for eleventh month but at slower pace Read More »

By Michael S. Derby NEW YORK (Reuters) – Federal Reserve lending to financial institutions eased modestly in the latest week, central bank data showed on Thursday, in a sign that financial sector woes that began last month may be beginning to settle down. Total lending to the three main programs aimed at bolstering bank liquidity …

Borrowing from key Fed lending facilities cools a bit in latest week Read More »

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday hinted that the government might change inflation targets, calling high lending costs “inexplicable” as he continued his push for lower interest rates. “If the inflation target is wrong, change the target,” the leftist leader said a meeting with journalists broadcast by TV channel …

Brazil’s Lula hints at inflation target change, calls high interest rates ‘inexplicable’ Read More »

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, but annual revisions to the data showed applications were higher this year than initially thought, further evidence that the labor market was slowing. With Thursday’s weekly jobless claims report, the Labor Department updated the methodology used …

US weekly jobless claims drop; revisions suggest labor market looser Read More »

By Tom Polansek CHICAGO (Reuters) – Mexico has found unexpected allies as it tries to limit imports of genetically modified (GM) corn: some U.S. farmers who grow the crops. Farmers have for decades planted GM corn, which protects against insects and weedkillers, with seeds sold by companies like Bayer AG, Corteva Inc and ChemChina’s Syngenta. …

After growing GM corn for decades, some US farmers open to Mexican restrictions Read More »