Reuters US Economy

(Reuters) – Spain’s consumer price inflation slowed to 3.3% in March, its weakest annual rate since August 2021 and down from 6.0% in February, preliminary data from the National Statistics Institute showed on Thursday. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected a rate of 3.8%. This drop is mainly due to the fact that electricity and …

Spain inflation falls more than expected to 3.3% in March Read More »

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Ankur Banerjee With sentiment still fragile in the aftermath of the banking crisis, a risk-on rally proved short-lived, leaving the MSCI ex-Japan index swinging between gains and losses on Thursday. The dollar firmed up, continuing its rebound, while gold eased. But as we …

Marketmind: As banking worries slowly slip into rear view, markets fret on Fed Read More »

By Kitiphong Thaichareon and Orathai Sriring BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s customs-based exports contracted for a fifth straight month but by less than forecast in February, as the global economy slowed, with shipments expected to drop further in the first half of the year, the Commerce Ministry said on Thursday. Exports, a key driver of growth, …

Thai exports drop less than expected, rebound not seen until H2 Read More »

BERLIN (Reuters) – German manufacturers are seeing fewer material shortages but Europe’s largest economy is still a long way away from an ideal supply situation, according to an economic survey published on Thursday. In March, 41.6% of the companies reported problems, down from 45.4% in February, the ifo institute said. “This easing will have a …

German supply chain shortages ease but long way to go – ifo Read More »

By Chiara Elisei LONDON (Reuters) – U.S. and European small and medium-sized (SME) firms may be next to feel the pain of rapid interest rate rises, with analysts and investors warily watching for the impact of tighter credit conditions exacerbated by recent banking turmoil. Unlike large companies that typically issue fixed-rate debt and have little …

Analysis-Rate rises pile pain on SME firms in U.S. and Europe Read More »

By Fergal Smith and Molly Cone TORONTO (Reuters) -Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s promise of a fiscally prudent budget in the face of high inflation has disappointed some strategists who had hoped for spending restraint from the Liberal government. Increased spending in the budget leaves the government with less in reserve to deal with a …

Canada’s fiscal spending moves out of step with overheating economy Read More »

(Reuters) – S&P Global Ratings Credit Research & Insights said on Wednesday that it expects the U.S. trailing 12-month speculative-grade corporate default rate to reach 4% by December, more than double the 1.7% default rate at the end of December 2022. “If, as we expect, unemployment rises and discretionary spending erodes, consumer-reliant sectors, which make …

S&P sees corp high-yield default rate doubling by year end Read More »

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazil exceeded expectations in its formal job creation for February, with the labor ministry on Wednesday reporting a net result of 241,785 positions. That surpassed the expected 161,000 jobs created, according to a Reuters poll of economists, but fell short of the 353,294 jobs created in the same month last year. …

Brazil formal job creation tops expectations in February Read More »