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(Reuters) – Russia’s economy will begin stabilising in its “new equilibrium” closer to the end of this year after beginning to go through a structural transformation in the second and third quarters, the central bank said in a report on Wednesday. “Although monetary policy conditions have changed significantly, price stability remains the unconditional priority of …

Russia’s economy to start stabilising in ‘new equilibrium’ near year-end -central bank Read More »

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) – When Aarti and Gaurav Kathuria were saving for their first home, a three-bedroom townhouse in Auckland, they cut back on eating out and other expenses so they could put together the hefty deposit. Now, only months after paying NZ$875,000 ($560,000) for a home in one of the world’s most …

As property market cools, New Zealand’s recent home buyers tighten belts Read More »

By Devayani Sathyan BENGALURU (Reuters) – Malaysia’s economic growth likely gathered pace in the last quarter, driven by stronger demand following a relaxation of COVID-19 measures, but a prolonged slowdown in China could have significant knock-on effects, a Reuters poll found. Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy is predicted to have expanded 4.0% in the January-March quarter …

Malaysia’s economy likely picked up pace in Q1, China slowdown a worry: Reuters poll Read More »

SYDNEY (Reuters) – A measure of Australian consumer sentiment slid for a sixth straight month to a 21-month low in May as surging inflation and rising interest rates weighed on family finances and spending intentions. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute index of consumer sentiment released on Wednesday sank 5.6% in May from April, when it fell 0.9%. …

Australia consumer sentiment dives as rates, inflation rise Read More »

By Lisa Baertlein LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -For more than two years, Isaac Larian has used every available tool to overcome global supply-chain bottlenecks and keep retailers stocked with enough Bratz and LOL Surprise! dolls to meet pandemic demand. Asked how he’s preparing for this summer’s West Coast port labor talks, the chief executive of Los …

U.S. importers turn to prayer and the President as West Coast port labor talks begin Read More »

By Howard Schneider AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (Reuters) – If the Federal Reserve sells any of its holdings of mortgage backed securities it may have to do so at a loss, Cleveland Federal Reserve bank President Loretta Mester said Tuesday, a potentially difficult problem for the central bank, at least politically, since it remits its annual …

Mester: MBS sales could mean market losses for Fed Read More »

By Choonsik Yoo SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s central bank got ahead of the tightening curve last year but now faces pressure to move faster and farther as the weakening won fuels inflation and the U.S. Federal Reserve takes a big-step approach to raising rates. The Bank of Korea, the first major Asian central bank …

Analysis: Fragile won, rising U.S. rates point to faster Bank of Korea tightening Read More »

A look at the day ahead in markets from Sujata Rao. Earlier this year, investors’ fears of an aggressive Fed rate hike cycle were tempered by signs China was looking to ease policy. That would offset, at least partly, Fed tightening, the reasoning went. Instead, Beijing has more or less sat on its hands, offering …

Marketmind: Waiting for China Read More »

By Kantaro Komiya TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan’s household spending fell in March for the first time in three months, though the 2.3% drop was smaller than expected, as consumers remained cautious despite some easing of COVID-19 curbs. While lower coronavirus risks have boosted consumer activity since April, rising living costs may cramp Japan’s consumption-led recovery for …

Japan household spending beats expectations, but inflation risks loom Read More »