The People's Bank of China announced continuation of its prudent monetary policy aimed at slowing down exorbitant GDP growth and decreasing inflation rate. GDP in Q3 grew only by 9.1% as compared to more than 10% in previous years. CPI also went up only by 5.5% being the lowest since May. At the same the bank is ready to fine tune its monetary policy
In October consumer confidence in UK dropped reaching a 7-years low on citizens' concerns regarding surge in employment and deepening Euro debt crisis. The sentiment index fell 9 points reaching 36, the least since 2004. Consumer expectation measure lost 14 points to 48, a new record low. According to BOE Governor, Mervyn King, the downward pressure on sentiment index arises from weakened outlook for UK
Arab League announced it gives Syria's government 3 days to stop violence against protestors and accept international observers. If Syria resists, Arab League is going to implement economic sanctions. Arab League's proposal comes amid increasing global pressure on Syria's President Bashar al Assad to resign. Syria already has been excluded from Arab League's meetings until it removes tanks from towns and discharge arrested demonstrators.
In September China enhanced its long-maturity Treasury holdings as European debt crisis stimulated demand for safe foreign assets. According to Treasury statistics, the world's second largest economy purchased US notes and government bonds worth $20.7 bn boosting total long-maturity holdings to $1.14 trillion. The increase followed Federal Reserve decision to reduce borrowing fees by extending its bond portfolio's maturity.
New Zealand and Australian dollars have hit 1-month record lows against US peer on distress worldwide economy will decelerate as Europe struggle to solve region's debt turmoil. Kiwi attained $0.7618, the lowest since October 5 while Aussie reached $1.0022, the least since October 12. According to Gavin Stacey Barclays Plc, chief interest-rate strategist, both currencies could slide even further in short-term.
On Wednesday Greek short-term PM Lucas Papademos opened talks on details regarding write-down of Greek national debt owned by private sector. According to the presidential office, today Papademos are negotiating 50% debt ''haircut'' with the leader of Institute of International Finance (IIF). Nevertheless, analysts express growing concern, as the implementation of decisions made in summit on October 26 is delaying.
On Wednesday US equities experienced a decline during last trading hour as Fitch Ratings reported that US banking industry is exposed to contagion form Euro region debt crisis. S&P 500 dropped 1.7% or 21 points, Dow Jones industrial average lost 1.6% or 191 points, while Nasdaq composit slipped 1.7% or 47 points. During the day investors attempted dump bonds of most European countries except Germany.
According to Fitch, US banks are strongly exposed to Europe default if region's crisis accumulates and expands beyond Greece, Italy, Ireland Portugal, and Spain (GIIPS). If the solution for Eurozone debt turmoil is not well timed and properly solved, then financial outlook for US banking industry might worsen, said Fitch. Currently six biggest US banks hold $50 bn in risky assets linked to GIIPS.
On Thursday Asia equities erased most of losses linked with European debt crisis, as investors faced optimistic company valuations. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index outweighted early losses, however, still traded down 0.9 whereas China's Shanghai Composite index closed flat. Korea's Kospi added 0.2%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index gained 0.5% and Japan's Nikkei Stock Average advanced 0.3%.
At recent APEC summit US president has accused China of undervaluing its currency to be more price competitive. China's Ministry of Commerce refuted these allegations as being unjustified. Many analysts claimed yuan is adequately priced and exchange rate of China's currency is not a cause for trade imbalance between US and China.
Inflation rate in the Eurozone unchanged in October and remained 3%. However, the rate still do not meet target of 2% set by European Central Bank. Analysts claim the rate would go down in a couple of months. The lowest inflation is in France 2.5% and the highest-in UK 5%. The major reason for inflation being above target was increase in energy costs as
China's shift to more environmentally friendly industries might add 10.58 million job places by 2015. However, the country will have to spend more than 5.77 trillion yuan to decrease pollution and use energy more efficiently. The measure will pay off by increase in China's GDP growth by 8.08 trillion yuan by 2015.
Francois Baroin, France's Finance Minister claimed that poor growth and volatile markets would not contaminate nation's stable economic position. FM emphasized that France still has AAA credit rating despite euro area crisis. At the beginning of the month Sarkozy's government approved austerity measures accumulating €7 bn and downgraded France's growth rate for year 2012 from 2.25% to 1%.
President Obama is performing poorly in New Hampshire on economic slowdown. Obama lags behind Republican president candidate, Mitt Romney 10 percentage points among general electors. Independent New Hampshire voters have turned even more sharply against Obama as Romney would triumph Obama advancing 15 percentage points in hypothetical elections.
Deloitte LLP predicts that Christmas sales in UK will not be higher than $57 bn earned last year. 2011 can be the first year without growth in retail business since 2008. Ian Geddes, Deloitte's retail partner pointed out that only strong online bargains are expected to expand as customers will search for best offers in WEB. Deloitte suggests that UK retail business might be sluggish until
In order to implement international liquidity rules, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) decided to charge 15 bp for financial companies who would want access standby funds. RBA also claimed that it is going to broaden margin applied to repurchase agreements for long term assets released by organizations other than Australian government.
Worldwide demand for US equities, bonds, and other securities surged in September as investors relied on Treasury assets amid Europe debt crisis. In September net purchases of long term stocks, bonds and notes made $68.6 bn compared to $58 bn in August. Treasuries extended largest quarterly gain since 2008, indicating that investors appreciate their safety.
On Wednesday 17-nation currency dropped against US dollar reaching five week low as European Commission President Jose Barroso claimed euro area is facing total crisis. In New York pre-trading session Euro lost 0.3% reaching $1.3498. Currently the pair is trading at 1.3471. According to Barroso, there will be no solution to crisis without economic growth.
As China was ranked one of the world largest investors, China's banks also plan to expand overseas. Financial difficulties in developed economies increase potential for China's banks to be successful in overseas markets. The debt crisis in Europe made it difficult for businesses to raise finance and it seems promising option for strong China's banks to embrace this segment.
Bank of Japan feared that Japan's economic growth might be impacted by Eurozone economic difficulties and strong Yen. Recent figures show Japan's economic growth is 1.5% in Q3. BOJ also announced no change in interest rates to stimulate growth. Current interest rate is between zero and 0.1%.
Gold futures COMEX Division of New York Mercantile Exchange went up on Tuesday as investors confidence in European markets remains low stimulating demand for precious metals. Gold contracts for December hit USD 1,782.2 an ounce increasing by 0.2%. Other precious metals also added value on European woes. Silver futures for December went up by 1.3% to USD 34.456 an ounce; platinum prices for January delivery
The Bank of England announced that UK economy might continue stagnation for at least half a year more. The bank decreased its growth forecast for the next two years to 1%. The inflation in the UK is about 5%, the highest among EU countries. However, analysts predict a sharp fall in UK inflation rate. Unemployment also is rising as number of unemployed grew by
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co, two of world's leaders in credit derivative trading, said they own bonds worth $5 trillion worldwide. Nevertheless banks refused to disclose what proportion of particular debt is issued by Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Ireland. Therefore, investors do not know to what extent US banks are exposed to default of these countries.
US bank Citigroup Inc. is expected to reduce around 3000 jobs as CEO Vikram Pandit attempts to cut costs. Among the jobs squeezed, 900 might be from investment and trading operations. The decrease equal to approximately 1% of total Citigroup's staff is not certain and may change. Citigroup Inc. is the third biggest US bank in terms of assets and employees about 267 000