Bonds
BoJ policymakers determined to bring CPI back to target
Rate-setters at the Bank of Japan continue to be clearly-focused on bringing inflation back to their 2% target on a sustainable basis, details of their last policy meeting revealed.
Senate approves landmark US tax reform bill (almost)
The US Senate has passed Trump’s tax reform bill entailing the most drastic changes in US taxation since the 1980s, including a permanent tax cut for corporations but temporary tax relief for individuals.
Ramaphosa's election boosts South African-exposed shares
Shares in Anglo American, Old Mutual and Lonmin rose after the election of Cyril Ramaphosa as leader of South Africa's ruling ANC party.
Euro area unit labour costs ebb moderately in the third quarter
Euro area labour cost growth slowed over the three months to September, pointing to still restrained core consumer price growth according to economists.
Bonds: Portuguese debt rallies as Fitch raises to investment grade
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 39% (+4bp)UK: 1. 15% (-0bp)Germany: 0. 31% (+1bp)France: 0. 63% (-1bp)Spain: 1. 44% (-2bp)Italy: 1. 80% (-1bp)Portugal: 1. 78% (-6bp)Greece: 3. 96% (-1bp)Japan: 0. 04% (-0bp) .
Empire State index dips in December, as expected
A widely-followed gauge of factory sector conditions in the jurisdiction of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York dipped in December, just as expected by economists.
BoE expects gradual and limited policy tightening over medium-term
The Bank of England kept policy on hold by a unanimous vote as had been widely-anticipated given previous guidance for a very gradual pace of tightening over the medium-term.
ECB keeps all rates unchanged, confirms guidance on asset purchases
The European Central Bank has opted to keep all its main policy rates unchanged, with policy-makers reiterating that they expect to keep all their key rates as they are until well past the end of the ECB's net asset purchase programme.
Bonds: Euro area periphery risk spreads jump
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 34% (-6bp)UK: 1. 22% (-0bp)Germany: 0. 31% (+0bp)France: 0. 66% (+2bp)Italy: 1. 80% (+9bp)Spain: 1. 50% (+4bp)Greece: 4. 26% (-12bp) Portugal: 1. 88% (+4bp)Japan: 0,05% (+0bp) .
FOMC hikes rates, but Evans and Kashkari dissent
The US central bank went ahead with its third rate hike of 2018, as expected, but two rate-setters dissented, voting instead for no change.
US core CPI falls short of forecasts in November
Consumer prices in the US confounded economists again last month as core inflation fell short of their forecasts, weighed down by a sharp drop in apparel costs.
US factory gate prices edge past forecasts in November
Factory gate prices in the States rose more quickly than expected last month, amid a soaring price of gasoline.
China November credit growth belies slowdown, economists say
Credit conditions in China continued to tighten last month, leading economists to anticipate cuts to the central bank's reserve requirement ratio for lenders in the short-run in order to provide liquidity and - eventually - allow a weaker currency as well.
US consumer confidence slips as Democrats fret about tax cuts, U.Michigan says
US consumer confidence cooled a tad at the start of December as some Americans reportedly fretted about the impact that the proposed tax cuts might have on economic prospects, according to the results of a widely-followed survey.
US jobs growth beats forecasts in November, but wages fall short
The US jobs market continued generating jobs at a solid pace last month as accelerated hiring in mining and manufacturing offset a slowdown on the services side of the economy.
IMF says China's banks need more capital after credit boom
The International Monetary Fund has urged China’s banks to raise more capital to protect against risks caused by a credit boom.
Bonds: Gross calls 2.0% top for Fed funds rate
These were the movements in some of the most closely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 34% (-1bp)UK: 1. 23% (-3bp)Germany: 0. 30% (-3bp)France: 0. 61% (-1bp)Spain: 1. 43% (+2bp)Italy: 1. 73% (+2bp)Portugal: 1. 88% (-1bp)Greece: 4. 81% (-3bp)Japan: 0. 06% (+1bp) .
Hochschild Mining to redeem $295m of bonds
Hochschild Mining has kicked off the process to redeem $294. 8m of its outstanding bonds in order to significantly reduce its interest payments.
Some analysts sceptical of long-term impact of US tax cuts on economy
The upper chamber of the US Congress approved a tax cut package at the weekend, possibly paving the way for final approval for as soon as the end of this week, but market commentary is quite divided on just how powerful a boost it will deliver to the economy and the price the country will have to pay in terms of an increased debt burden.
Fed needs to move cautiously on interest rate hikes, Bullard says
US central bankers need to be more cautious, lest the interest rate curve 'invert', choking off growth, a top rate-setter said.