International Economic
Central Bank of Russia opens door to rate cut as soon as 2019
Rate-setters in Moscow lowered their forecast for consumer price inflation and opened the door to a cut in official interest as soon as 2019.
US manufacturing activity drops to 21-month low
Activity in the US manufacturing sector hit a 21-month low in March, according to preliminary data released on Friday.
US existing home sales jump back in February, NAR says
Second hand sales of homes in the States rebounded sharply last month, bolstered by lower mortgage rates, growing incomes and improved consumer confidence.
German manufacturing sector weakens more than expected
Germany’s manufacturing output has shrunk to the lowest level for more than six and a half year, industry data showed on Friday.
March Philly Fed index continues to point to weakness
Perhaps the most widely-followed regional manufacturing gauge in the US rebounded sharply in March, but according to economists continued to point to an ongoing slowdown.
Initial weekly US jobless claims drop sharply
US jobless claims, one of the most closely-followed indicators of the health of the jobs market, dropped more sharply than expected over the preceding week.
Weekly US oil and gasoline inventories fall rapidly, DoE says
US crude oil inventories shrank sharply during the preceding week as exports and refinery activity picked up.
Dutch coalition government may lose Senate majority to eurosceptics
Holland's coalition government is at risk of losing its Senate majority in provincial elections due to be held on Wednesday evening as the Eurosceptic Forum for Democracy climbs in the polls.
US homebuilder sentiment steady in March - NAHB
Sentiment among US housebuilders held steady in March, according to data released on Monday.
EU trade surplus with US rises to more than €11bn
The European Union’s trade surplus with the United States continued to rise in January, further underlining tensions between Brussels and Washington.
US job openings edge higher in January, pointing to gradual pick-up in wages
Rates for job openings and voluntary so-called 'quits' in the US were unchanged in January, pointing to a gradual acceleration in wage growth, economists said.
Brexiter MPs reject Cox's backstop get-out clause
Eurosceptics in parliament have rejected attorney general Geoffrey Cox’ latest legal advice on the Irish backstop, which was updated in order to try and finally get a divorce deal through parliament.
US consumer sentiment improves in March - Uni Michigan
Consumer sentiment in the US improved in March, according to a preliminary reading from the University of Michigan.
Deutsche Bank stays neutral on European shares as political risks fade
Strategists at Deutsche Bank stuck to their 'neutral' view for European stocks, despite their being overvalued, arguing that a US-China trade truce and shift towards a Brexit deal would sustain the 'overshoot' in valuations versus their estimate of fair value.
US industrial production falls short of forecasts in February
US industrial production eked out just a small gain last month, with output in manufacturing hit by a slide in business equipment.
Credit Suisse upgrades European Cyclicals to 'overweight'
Credit Suisse raised its recommendation on shares of European cyclicals relative to defensives on Friday, from 'benchmark' to 'overweight', while lowering their view on defensives from 'benchmark' to 'underweight'.
Empire State manufacturing index unexpectedly drops in March
Business conditions in the New York region unexpectedly deteriorated in March, according to a survey released by the New York Fed on Friday.
Kim Jong Un may halt nuclear negotiations with 'gangster-like' US
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is close to deciding whether to halt denuclearisation talks with the US after President Donald Trump walked away from negotiations in February, according to a North Korean diplomat.
Eurozone inflation ticks higher as expected in February
Inflation in the eurozone rose as expected in February, according to data released by Eurostat on Friday.
China loosens investment rules for foreign firms
Politicians in China have passed a new law loosening regulation on foreign investment, in what is being seen by market watchers as a move to appease Washington in the country’s ongoing trade war with the United States.