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☆ Best travel destinations to visit in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-01 | by ( Cnn Travel Staff | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +32 min

cdwheatley/iStockphoto/Getty Images Angola: Beyond the capital city of Luanda, pictured, Angola has some jaw-droppingly spectacular scenery and cultural treats. David ChiaFF/Alamy Stock Photo Mérida, Mexico: Yucatán state's capital city showcases a blend of Mayan and colonial heritage. Pavel Tochinsky/The Image Bank RF/Getty Images Morocco: This North African country is home to nine UNESCO sites, including the historic city of Meknes, pictured. Panama City is also the only world capital with a tropical rainforest within its city limits. And a historic city forever entwined with the famed Camino de Santiago.

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☆ US consumer spending slows; labor market steadily easing
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Those hopes were reinforced by other data on Thursday showing the labor market gradually easing. Though wages remain elevated, the pace of increase has slowed from earlier in the year as the labor market eases. Personal consumptionINFLATION COOLINGInflation as measured by the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index was unchanged in October after rising 0.4% in September. Stripping out housing, the core PCE price index edged up 0.1% after gaining 0.3% in September. Still, the labor market is cooling in tandem with overall demand in the economy.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, Jerome, Powell, Conrad DeQuadros, Nancy Vanden Houten, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Nomiyama, Andrea Ricci Organizations: El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Brean, Commerce Department's, United Auto Workers, Treasury, Fed, Labor Department, Oxford Economics, Thomson Locations: Mount Pleasant, Washington ,, New York, outlays, U.S

"Monetary policy is in a good place for policymakers to assess incoming information on the economy and financial conditions," Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester said on Wednesday. The Fed has kept its policy rate unchanged in the 5.25%-5.50% range since July, and after the last meeting over Oct. 31-Nov. 1, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said he is not yet confident policy is restrictive enough. Fed Governor Christopher Waller, a policy hawk like Mester, on Tuesday delivered a similar assessment. Indeed, Waller said, if the inflation decline continues for several more months, rate cuts could be in order to keep policy from becoming overly tight. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, who has for months said the Fed policy rate at 5.25%-5.50% is high enough, said Wednesday he feels data backing that view is getting clearer.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, Loretta Mester, Mester, Jerome Powell, Christopher Waller, Waller, I'm, Thomas Barkin, Barkin, Raphael Bostic, we’ve, Lindsay Dunsmuir, Deepa Babington Organizations: El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Cleveland Fed, Richmond Fed, CNBC, Dallas Fed, Reuters, Atlanta Fed, Thomson Locations: El Progreso, Mount Pleasant, Washington ,

Milei, who is pledging economic shock therapy such as shutting the central bank and dollarization, won a second-round runoff vote on Sunday with some 56% to rival Sergio Massa's 44%. Milei now faces the huge challenge of turning around the economy once he takes office on Dec. 10. "It is an economy that is in intensive care," said Miguel Kiguel, a former undersecretary of finance at the Economy Ministry in the 1990s. A central bank poll of analysts forecast 185% inflation by the end of the year. In a bid to tamp down inflation Argentina's central bank has hiked the benchmark interest rate to 133%, which encourages saving in pesos, but hurts access to credit and economic growth.

Persons: Javier Milei, Sergio Massa's, Milei, Miguel Kiguel, Lucio Garay Mendez, Vaca Muerta, Eugenio Marí, Hernan Nessi, Adam Jourdan, Daniel Wallis, Chris Reese Organizations: Economy Ministry, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Coldplay, Reuters Graphics, CENTRAL, International Monetary Fund, Libertad y Progreso Foundation, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, dollarization, Argentina, China, Brazil

A recently edgy bond market gobbled all that up. Funds' bonds allocation in November soared 18 points over the month to leave them net 19% overweight - almost 3 standard deviations above long-term averages. Asset managers' overweight bond positions - or at least those in government bonds and U.S. Treasuries - tends to be mirrored by big short positions in Treasury futures among speculative hedge funds. CFTC numbers show the scale of that speculative 'Big Short' on the flipside of the mounting 'Big Long' built by regular asset managers. Lamont points out that U.S. Treasury yields and investment grade corporate debt yields would have to rise about another 100bps for the capital losses to wipe out current yields.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, Lazard, Ronald Temple, Lombard Odier's Florian Ielpo, Duncan Lamont, Lamont, Jason Pride, Mike Dolan, Susan Fenton Organizations: El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Bank of America's, Treasury, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Mount Pleasant, Washington ,, what's

[1/2] A woman shops for groceries at El Progreso Market in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Washington, D.C., U.S., August 19, 2022. The U.S. banking sector was in turmoil in the spring as Silicon Valley Bank abruptly collapsed after grappling with large amounts of unrealized losses spurred by rapidly rising interest rates. She said reinflation was a risk, especially if banks do not correctly anticipate interest rate moves and adjust their portfolios appropriately. That led to unrealized losses across the sector coming under closer scrutiny. Global banking and securities regulators are also still grappling with the fallout from the collapse of Credit Suisse Group (CSGC.UL).

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, Ana Arsov, Arsov, reinflation, ” Arsov, Tim Wennes, Paul Servais, Paritosh Bansal Tatiana Bautzer, Megan Davies, Lisa Shumaker, David Gregorio Our Organizations: El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Reuters, Banco Santander, Global, Credit Suisse Group, UBS, Jean, International Organization of Securities Commissions, Financial, Swiss, Thomson Locations: Mount Pleasant, Washington ,, U.S, SVB

☆ Guatemala's First 3D-Printed Tiny Home Is Earthquake Resistant: Photos
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Using a COBOD printer, 3DCP Group and Progreso have built what they say is Guatemala's first 3D-printed tiny home. Over the last few years, more US startups and real estate companies have been turning to 3D printing construction methods. Progreso, 3DCP Group, COBODNow, the global 3D printing community is welcoming one of its newest builds: an earthquake-resistant tiny home in Guatemala. Progreso, 3DCP Group, COBODProponents of 3D printing construction say the tech can build homes faster and cheaper with less waste and labor. AdvertisementAdvertisement"I hope that in decades from now, there'll be 3D printers on most construction sites around the globe," Lund-Nielsen said.

Persons: —, 14Trees, it's, Philip Lund, COBOD's, wasn't, Nielsen, Lund Organizations: 3DCP, Service, Central American, Kenyan, Nielsen, LinkedIn, 3DCP Group, Lund Locations: Progreso, Austin , Texas, Madagascar, Kenya, Guatemala, Denmark

☆ Inflation to dog world economy next year, postponing rate cuts: Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Hari Kishan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Despite broad success in bringing inflation down from its highs - the easier bit - prices are still rising faster than most central banks would prefer and hitting their inflation targets is likely to be tough. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand, which often leads the interest rate cycle, was also forecast to wait until July-September 2024 before cutting. The majority backing no cuts until the second half of 2024 has also grown stronger for the Reserve Bank of Australia, Bank Indonesia and the Reserve Bank of India. Even the Bank of Japan, the outlier sticking to ultra-loose policy through this entire round of inflation, is now expected to abandon negative interest rates next year. Crucially, most economists agree the first easing steps will not be the beginning of a rapid series of cuts.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, Christine Lagarde, Douglas Porter, it's, Nathan Sheets, Hari Kishan, Ross Finley, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Reuters, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, ECB, Fed, BMO, Reserve Bank of New, Reserve Bank of Australia, Bank, Reserve Bank of India, Bank of Japan, Citi, Thomson Locations: Mount Pleasant, Washington ,, BENGALURU, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Bank Indonesia, Bengaluru, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Istanbul, Johannesburg, London, Shanghai, Tokyo

☆ Gasoline, food drive US producer prices higher; core inflation cools
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The so-called core PPI increased 2.8% on a year-on-year basis in September after climbing 2.9% in August. Wholesale goods prices increased 0.9%, with a 3.3% rise in the cost of energy products accounting for nearly three-quarters of the increase. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, core goods prices edged up 0.1% for the second straight month. This mostly reflected the normalization of supply chains, whose disruption fueled goods inflation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though core inflation is cooling, higher gasoline and food prices could hamper progress by raising the cost of other goods as well as causing consumers to expect inflation to rise.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, Christopher Rupkey, Will Compernolle, Alex McGrath, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Nomiyama, Paul Simao Organizations: El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Labor Department, Federal Reserve, Treasury, Reuters, PPI, Reuters Graphics, Trade, Fed, Thomson Locations: Mount Pleasant, Washington ,, WASHINGTON, New York, East, Greenville , South Carolina

☆ Argentina retail prices to maintain double-digit rise in September - Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The consumer price index (CPI) rose 12.4% in August, while annual inflation topped 124% in the month. "September marks the second consecutive month with double-digit inflation," said Eugenio Mari, chief economist at the Libertad y Progreso Foundation. The projections among the analysts surveyed ranged from a minimum rise of 10.7% to a maximum of 13.8% for September. However, economist Martin Kalos estimated that September's inflation figure "is similar to that of August. The official statistics institute INDEC will publish September's inflation data on Thursday at 1900 GMT, while the central bank will release its Market Expectations Survey (REM) shortly after.

Persons: Ernesto Acuna, Agustin Marcarian, Eugenio Mari, Paula Gandara, Martin Kalos, There's, Walter Bianchi, Jorge Otaola, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Libertad y Progreso Foundation, Adcap Asset Management, Economic Policy, Economy Ministry, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES

☆ Argentina retail prices to maintain double-digit rise in September, Reuters poll shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The central bank's quest for a "soft landing" of more slowly rising prices and continued economic growth looks increasingly probable. In fact, the U.S. may hit a sweet spot just as the 2024 presidential election campaign crescendos next year. Rather than cheering, though, after years of economic turbulence since the coronavirus pandemic erupted in 2020, Americans grumble, at least if you ask them about the economy. With fast rising prices and the end of an array of pandemic-era government benefit programs, inflation-adjusted household income fell last year, and the poverty rate increased. A Biden adviser said the White House understands that the economy and inflation are a critical issue, and the campaign has a big media push planned on "Bidenomics."

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, Jerome Powell, crescendos, grumble, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Jimmy Carter's, Ronald Reagan, George H, Bush, Democrat Bill Clinton, Clinton, Biden, They've, that's, Robert Shiller, stupidly, Shiller, Powell, Howard Schneider, Trevor Hunnicutt, Heather Timmons, Paul Simao Organizations: El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Rights, . Federal, Reuters, Republican, Biden, Democrat, U.S . Consumer, Yale University, McKinsey & Company, McKinsey, Thomson Locations: Mount Pleasant, Washington ,, U.S

☆ Argentina August inflation forecast at highest since 1991
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Hernan Nessi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Argentina was already battling annual inflation near 115%, which is driving a painful cost of living crisis and pushing people into poverty. "August was the worst month, I would say in the last 25 years of Argentina's economy," Sergio Massa, Minister of Economy and presidential candidate for the ruling Peronist bloc, said in a recent television interview. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsThe survey of 28 analysts polled by Reuters forecast monthly inflation for August ranging from 9.3% to a maximum 12.9%. Analysts also predicted inflation would likely remain in double figures for September. Reporting by Hernan Nessi; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Javier Milei, Sergio Massa, Eugenio Mari, Hernan Nessi, Valentine Hilaire, Josie Kao Organizations: Index, Peronist, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Argentina's National Institute of Statistics, T Economic Advisors, Libertad y Progreso Foundation, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, Argentina

☆ Argentina inflation likely sped back up ahead of primary vote, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Hernan Nessi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A costumer counts money before buying tangerines in a green grocery store, as Argentines struggle amid rising inflation, in Buenos Aires, Argentina May 11, 2023. REUTERS/Agustin MarcarianBUENOS AIRES, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Argentina's monthly inflation rate likely sped back up to 7.1% in July, a Reuters poll of analysts showed, a blow for the ruling Peronist coalition, which is battling to avoid defeat by the conservative opposition in primary elections on Sunday. The projections from 19 local and foreign analysts ranged from a minimum 5.9% rise to a maximum 7.9% jump in the month. Many analysts saw a tough outlook for prices in the months ahead due to economic uncertainty, fiscal imbalances, and volatility ahead of the general election in October. Argentina's INDEC statistics agency is expected to publish inflation data next week after the primaries.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, That's, Alejandro Giacoia, Eugenio Marí, Hernán Nessi, Gabriel Burin, Adam Jourdan, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Peronist, Sunday, Index, Reuters Graphics Reuters Graphics, Libertad, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Agustin Marcarian BUENOS AIRES, Progreso

☆ Morning Bid: Caution the watchword for inflation tests
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Produce is seen at El Progreso Market in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Washington, D.C., U.S., August 19, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger/File PhotoA look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Wayne Cole. It's been a slow start in Asia, with little in the way of market-moving news over the weekend. Both Bank of America and JPMorgan last week ditched their forecasts for a U.S. recession and embraced the soft landing theme. Inflation figures from the United States and China will be major tests for investors this week.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, Wayne Cole, It's, Walt Disney, Huw Pill, Raphael Bostic, Michelle Bowman, Edmund Klamann Organizations: El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Nasdaq, Bank of Japan, Bank of America, JPMorgan, U.S, CPI, New Corp, Fox, Sony, Bank of England's, Atlanta Fed, Thomson Locations: Mount Pleasant, Washington ,, Wayne, Asia, U.S, United States, China, Beijing, Japan

☆ Morning Bid: Relief over US inflation keeps Asia upbeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A woman shops for groceries at El Progreso Market in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Washington, D.C., U.S., August 19, 2022. Indeed, Friday's rise in the yen put it within striking distance of its converging 100-day and 200-day moving averages near 137.00 to the dollar. The Reserve Bank of Australia was also in the spotlight in Asia, with the much-anticipated announcement of its next governor. The rest of the day is light on economic data with euro zone May trade, U.S. export and import prices and University of Michigan consumer sentiment the main releases. But it's a bumper day for bank earnings as JPMorgan Chase (JPM.N), Citigroup (C.N), Wells Fargo (WFC.N) and BlackRock (BLK.N) are all due to report second-quarter results.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, Sonali Desai, Michele Bullock, JPMorgan Chase, Luis de Guindos, Edmund Klamann Organizations: El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Treasury, Bank of, People's Bank of China, The Reserve Bank of Australia, University of Michigan, JPMorgan, Citigroup, BlackRock, Hollywood, Central Bank, JPMorgan Chase, Thomson Locations: Mount Pleasant, Washington ,, Asia, Japan Asia, U.S, Wells Fargo, Brussels U.S

☆ US economy shifts into disinflation mode; consumer prices rise modestly
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

That was the smallest year-on-year increase since March 2021 and followed a 4.0% rise in May. The year-on-year CPI is slowing in part as last year's large rises drop out of the calculation. It was the first time in six months that the so-called core CPI did not post monthly gains of at least 0.4%. Services prices rose 0.3%, matching May's gain. Economists view the ISM services prices paid measure as a good predictor of personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation.

Persons: Christopher Rupkey, Joe Biden, Chris Zaccarelli, Sarah Silbiger, Michael Gregory, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Nomiyama, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Federal Reserve, Labor Department, Fed, Reuters Graphics, CPI, Reuters, Independent, Treasury, El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Institute, Supply, BMO Capital Markets, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S, New York, Charlotte , North Carolina, Mount Pleasant, Washington ,, Toronto

☆ US consumer prices post modest gains; economy shifts into disinflation mode
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

U.S. Treasury prices rose. It was the first time in six months that the so-called core CPI did not post monthly gains of at least 0.4%. In the 12 months through June, the core CPI rose 4.8%. Core inflation is expected to continue receding in the months ahead, with the labor market cooling and independent measures showing rents on a downward trend. Economists view the ISM services prices paid measure as a good predictor of personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation.

Persons: Christopher Rupkey, Sarah Silbiger, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Nomiyama, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Reserve, Labor Department, Fed, Reuters Graphics, CPI, Reuters, Treasury, El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Institute, Supply, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S, New York, Mount Pleasant, Washington ,

☆ IMF urges Fed, central banks to keep tightening to reduce inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said inflation momentum has slowed in the United States, but remained a pressing concern. The IMF warned in April that lurking financial system vulnerabilities could erupt into a new crisis and slam global growth this year, edging its 2023 global growth forecasts lower. "We believe that central banks should stay the course on monetary tightening to decisively reduce inflation." "We also see that inflation momentum has slowed, but that inflation does remain a pressing concern," Kozack said. "Our advice remains unchanged, which is that the Fed would need to stay the course on monetary policy to ensure a durable reduction in inflation and to ensure that inflation expectations ... remain well-anchored."

Persons: Sarah Silbiger WASHINGTON, Julie Kozack, Kozack, Andrea Shalal, Paul Simao Organizations: El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Monetary Fund, U.S . Federal Reserve, IMF, Thomson Locations: Mount Pleasant, Washington ,, United States, U.S

☆ Argentina cenbank mulls another rate hike to tame 100% inflation - adviser, analysts
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Jorge Otaola | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BUENOS AIRES, April 12 (Reuters) - Argentina central bank board have been discussing the idea of another potential interest rate hike from the current 78% level, an adviser to the bank said on Wednesday, with analysts anticipating a 200-basis-point raise to contend with annual inflation running at over 100%. "The possibility of a new rate rise has been raised, but it is not yet defined," an advisor to the central bank told Reuters, asking not to be named as the discussions were private. A central bank spokesman declined to comment. Analysts, however, unanimously agreed another hike was likely, with monthly inflation for March expected to have accelerated to above 7%, the fastest since July last year. He agreed the rate would likely rise to 80%.

Citing the cool-off, Argentina's central bank held its benchmark interest rate steady at 75% later on Thuesday, extending a pause on hikes after one of the world's most aggressive tightening cycles. The official INDEC statistics agency said rolling 12-month inflation in November hit 92.4%, with prices up 85.3% during the first 11 months of the year. The monthly rate, though, was the lowest since February and well below analyst forecasts of 5.9%. "It is difficult to manage a budget from one month to the next," Natalia Jones told Reuters on the streets of Buenos Aires shopping for vegetables. Eduardo Ortega, manager of a grocery shop in Buenos Aires, said it meant people were cutting back on the amount of food they could buy.

The official INDEC statistics agency said on Thursday that rolling 12-month inflation through November hit 92.4%, with prices up 85.3% during the first 11 months of the year. The monthly rate was the lowest since February and well below analyst forecasts of 5.9%. Despite the monthly slowdown, Argentines are still battling one of the highest inflation rates in the world, which eats away at wages and saps earning power. "It is difficult to manage a budget from one month to the next," Natalia Jones told Reuters on the streets of Buenos Aires shopping for vegetables. Eduardo Ortega, manager of a grocery shop in Buenos Aires, said it meant people were cutting back on the amount of food they could buy.

☆ In Argentina, controls spawn soybean and 'Netflix' currency rates
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Lucila Sigal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The blossoming of parallel foreign exchange rates has gained pace in recent weeks, becoming the target of memes online, one calling the array a "tutti-frutti". But it also reflects a serious risk the government faces to protect dwindling dollar reserves needed to pay back debt. The government and central bank argue that the controls are needed to protect foreign reserves and stabilize the economy. "All these different exchange rates shows a political desperation for dollars," said Eduardo Maehler, 37, a self-employed worker in Buenos Aires. "We know the cost of imposing these controls over time: it always ends in a very deep crisis," he said.

☆ Argentina inflation undershoots, easing pressure to hike rates
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Walter Bianchi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The government's INDEC statistics agency reported on Friday the monthly inflation was 6.2% last month, slower than in August and undershooting analyst forecasts of a 6.7% increase. Aldo Abram, executive director at consultancy Libertad y Progreso, said inflation would remain high into next year, before easing back ahead of presidential elections. Argentines on the street said they were increasingly struggling to afford things as prices outstripped salaries. "You have to pay attention to how much things cost because there are things that you can't pay for. You have to eliminate things from your diet because wages can't keep up," 53-year-old housewife Claudia Villalba told Reuters.

☆ Soaring rent, food costs keep U.S. inflation on front burner; labor market tight
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Food prices increased 0.8%, with the cost of food at home advancing 0.7% amid rises in all six major grocery store food groups. The war in Ukraine also poses an upside risk to food prices. In the 12 months through September, the CPI increased 8.2% after rising 8.3% in August, decelerating for a third straight month. The so-called core CPI is being largely driven by the higher costs for rental accommodation. The core CPI jumped 6.6% in the 12 months through September, the most since August 1982, after rising 6.3% in August.

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