DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ 'The market is right': Former Fed policymaker Mester sees fewer rate cuts next year after Trump's victory
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. Federal Reserve could carry out fewer interest rate cuts than previously expected next year should President-elect Donald Trump's proposed global tariffs take hold, former Fed policymaker Loretta Mester said Tuesday. Markets trimmed their forecasts for rate cuts following Trump's election victory last week, with speculation growing around his tariff proposals and their implications for the world economy. It comes as concern is growing among global policymakers about the implications of Trump's fiscal plans, particularly on tariffs. "A trade war is the last thing we need," he continued. "If a trade war is to start, the European Union must not be unprepared as it was in 2018."

Persons: Donald Trump's, Loretta Mester, Mester, they're, Trump, It's, there's, —, Olli Rehn, Rehn Organizations: U.S . Federal, UBS European Conference, Cleveland Federal Reserve, Reuters, Trump, Bank of Finland, European Central Bank policymaker, UBS, European Union Locations: London, U.S, Europe, European

☆ Russia's defense sector is running on overdrive — but firms are warning of bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-02 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Defense firms are busy — but high inflation and interest rates past 20% have left them struggling. AdvertisementIn Russia's defense sector, demand is surging — but its companies are struggling all the same. Rising interest rates and export bans were eroding Russian defense companies' profits across the board, they said, making the Russian state the only guarantor of revenues. Sheremeta described the situation as a "death spiral," where war spending begets more inflation, which requires more war spending. "If some defense companies cannot fulfill their obligations, the Kremlin can simply nationalize them," Sheremeta said.

Persons: —, Sergei Chemezov, Roman Sheremeta, Sheremeta, Daniel Treisman, Korhonen, Julian Cooper, Konstantin Sonin, Sonin Organizations: Service, Rostec, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, Bloomberg, University of California, National Bureau of Economic Research, Central Bank, Bank of Finland Institute, Emerging, Centre for Russian, East European Studies, University of Birmingham, University of Chicago Harris School of Public, Project Syndicate Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Los Angeles

Mārtiņš Kazāks, Bank of Latviawatch nowOn a 50-basis-point rate cut: "Well, everything should be on the table, you know, given what the data tells us. Klaas Knot, Netherlands central bankwatch now"Are we risking a structural undershoot of our inflation target? Joachim Nagel, German central bankwatch nowOn rate cuts: "This discussion about 25 or maybe something different is not helpful. On rate cuts: "The direction is clear. Gediminas Šimkus, Bank of Lithuaniawatch nowOn rate cuts: "We are clearly moving ... towards the direction of easing monetary policy.

Persons: Karen Tso, Pierre Wunsch, I'm, we've, Mario Centeno, Klaas, It's, Robert Holzmann, Joachim Nagel, disinflation, Volcker, Olli Rehn, it's, Gediminas Šimkus, Boris Vujčić Organizations: European Central Bank, International Monetary, Bank of Latvia, National Bank of Belgium, Bank of Portugal, Austrian National Bank, Bank of France, Bank of Finland, Bank of Lithuania, Croatian National Bank Locations: Washington ,, Kazāks, Netherlands, German, Galhau, Europe

☆ Here's what 12 European Central Bank members said about interest rates this week
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The ECB opted to hold rates steady in April and next meets to vote on monetary policy on June 6. Christine Lagarde, president of the ECBThe ECB's figurehead delivered a firm message that reflected her statements in recent press conferences: markets should expect an interest rate cut soon, barring major surprises. watch nowGabriel Makhlouf, governor of the Central Bank of IrelandMakhlouf said the most recent data sets had shifted his view on rates. "We don't follow the Fed... and now the ECB will be the central bank to be followed," Šimkus said. One could have cut rates way back in March or even April," he continued, adding that he hoped a majority of Governing Council members would back a June cut.

Persons: Kirill Kudryavtsev, Christine Lagarde, Lagarde, CNBC's Sara Eisen, Galhau, Villeroy, Karen Tso, Joachim Nagel, Germany's, Nagel, Robert Holzmann, Mario Centeno, Centeno, Gabriel Makhlouf, Central Bank of Ireland Makhlouf, we've, Makhlouf, Pierre Wunsch, Wunsch, Boris Vujčić, Jerome Powell, Vujčić, Gediminas Šimkus, Bank of Lithuania Šimkus, Šimkus, Edward Scicluna, Central Bank of Malta Scicluna, Kazāks, Bank of Latvia Kazāks, Olli Rehn, Rehn Organizations: Afp, Getty, International, European Central Bank, CNBC, ECB, Bank of France, Council, Austrian Central Bank One, Bank of Portugal, Central Bank of Ireland, National Bank of, Croatian National Bank, Federal, U.S, Bank of Lithuania, Central Bank of, Governing, Bank of Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, New York, ECB's, National Bank of Belgium, U.S, Europe, Central Bank of Malta, Bank of Latvia, Bank of Finland

☆ ECB's Olli Rehn says geopolitics poses the biggest risk to the rate outlook
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailECB's Olli Rehn says geopolitics poses the biggest risk to the rate outlookThe market reaction to geopolitical tensions has been muted but there is still a risk, and it could affect monetary policy, Olli Rehn, ECB policymaker and governor of the Bank of Finland, tells CNBC's Karen Tso.

Persons: ECB's Olli Rehn, Olli Rehn, Karen Tso Organizations: ECB policymaker, Bank of Finland

☆ Middle East tensions pose the biggest threat to rate cuts, European Central Bank policymaker says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Tensions in the Middle East pose the biggest threat to a prospective interest rate cut from the European Central Bank, according to ECB policymaker Robert Holzmann. "At this stage, I think the biggest threat is geopolitics, because we have seen what's happened in the Middle East," Austrian central bank governor Holzmann told CNBC's Karen Tso on Wednesday. Holzmann singled out ramifications for energy prices as the single most important factor in terms of Europe's fight to tame inflation. "As summer approaches we can start reducing the level of restriction in monetary policy, provided that inflation continues to fall as projected." He recently told Reuters that the ECB could moderate rates in June, indicating a growing consensus for a near-term move.

Persons: Robert Holzmann, Holzmann, Karen Tso, policymaker Olli Rehn, Rehn Organizations: European Central Bank, ECB, International Monetary, Bank of, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Reuters Locations: Austrian, Hormuz, Iran, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Bank of Finland, London

☆ Former governor of the Bank of Finland discusses climate issues
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailClimate 'an issue of common concern' between countries, says former governor of the Bank of FinlandErkki Liikanen, chair of trustees at IFRS and former governor of the Bank of Finland, discusses climate issues and sustainability investing.

Persons: Bank of Finland Erkki Liikanen Organizations: Bank of Finland, IFRS

☆ 3 ways Russia's war-time economy is set to weaken after a surprisingly strong 2023
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewRussia's economy is set to weaken this year, according to researchers from Finland's central bank. Russia won't be able to maintain the surprisingly strong growth it saw, the Bank of Finland's Institute for Emerging Economies said in a recent report. That's a stark contrast from what Russia saw last year, with its economy growing 3.6%, according to Russia's federal statistics service. Russia's long-term potential growth rate, in particular, has been reduced by the shift to a wartime economy," the report said. AdvertisementThe report pointed to three areas of the Russian economy that could take a hit.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Bank of Finland's Institute, Emerging Economies, Business, Russia, Ukraine, United Nations, Russian Academy of Science's Institute of Economics Locations: Russia, Russian, Ukraine, Moscow

☆ Russia boasts it is beating sanctions, but its longer-term prospects are bleak
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Far from buckling under their weight, the Russian economy is in fact 1% larger than it was on the eve of the invasion. India and China now account for 90% of Russian oil exports, according to Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. Noemi Cassanelli/CNNThere’s little sign that ordinary Russians have been drastically impacted by Western sanctions. Sanctions will have a long-term impact on the Russian economy, according to the European Commission. Nabiullina said the Russian economy was like a car trying to go too fast.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Sergei Chemezov, ” Chemezov, Scott Peterson, Alexander Novak, Christine Abely, “, ”, SWIFT, Alexei Mordashov, Noemi Cassanelli, Geoffrey Pyatt, Rachel Lyngaas, —, Alexander Nemenov, Elvira Nabiullina, Nabiullina, Natalia Kolesnikova, ” Abely Organizations: CNN, Atlantic Council, Russia, West ., Shipping, Windward, Reuters, US Treasury Department, United Arab Emirates, Crime Agency, US Treasury, “, Bank of, European, US, Financial Times, Russian Central Bank, Getty, Producers, International Energy Agency Locations: United States, Ukraine, Russian, Russia, Western, Sviatohirsk, Donetsk region, Asia, West, West . India, China, India, Volgograd, Turkey, UAE, Bank of Finland, Hong Kong, Europe, Egypt, Thailand, Moscow, Kazakhstan, Soviet Russia, AFP, Beijing

☆ Finns go to the polls to elect a new president at an unprecedented time for the NATO newcomer
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Polls across the country opened at 9 a.m. (0700 GMT) and will close at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT). The president also acts as the supreme commander of the Finnish military, a particularly important duty in Europe's current security environment. They are picking a successor to hugely popular President Sauli Niinistö, whose second six-year term expires in March. Recent polls suggest that former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, 55, and ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, 65, are the leading contenders. Advance vote results will be confirmed soon after polls close and initial results from Sunday's voting are expected by around midnight (2200 GMT).

Persons: Sauli Niinistö, Eve Kinnunen, Alexander Stubb, Pekka Haavisto, Stubb, Haavisto, Jussi Halla, Olli Rehn, Niinistö, Vladimir Putin of Organizations: Nordic, NATO, Union, National Coalition Party, United Nations, Finns, Bank of Finland, Associated Press, Green League Locations: Espoo, Finland, Russia, United States, China, Helsinki, Sunday's, Europe, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Nordic, Finland's, Sweden, Hungary

HELSINKI (AP) — Ex-Prime Minister Alexander Stubb was projected to win the first round of Finland's presidential election on Sunday and face runner-up Pekka Haavisto in a runoff next month. Finnish public broadcaster YLE projected that Stubb won the first round of the presidential election with 27.3% of the votes, while Haavisto, an ex-foreign minister, took second place with 25.8%. Recent polls suggest that former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, 55, and ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, 65, are the leading contenders. The president also acts as the supreme commander of the Finnish military, a particularly important duty in Europe's current security environment. About 4.5 million citizens were eligible to vote for Finland’s new head of state from an array of nine candidates — six men and three women.

Persons: —, Alexander Stubb, Pekka Haavisto, Stubb, Jussi Halla, aho, Sauli Niinistö, “, ”, Eve Kinnunen, Haavisto, Olli Rehn, Niinistö, Vladimir Putin of, ___ Kostya Manenkov, Sergei Grits Organizations: HELSINKI, YLE, Legal, Nordic, NATO, Union, National Coalition Party, Finns, Bank of Finland, Halla, Associated Press, Helsinki, Green League Locations: Finnish, Stubb, Finland, HELSINKI, Russia, United States, China, Helsinki, Sunday’s, Europe, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Nordic, Finland’s, Sweden, Hungary

☆ Finns Choose New President for NATO Era With Russia in Mind
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The Nordic country's admission to NATO last year drew threats of "counter measures" from its vast Russian neighbour. In December, Finland closed its entire border with Russia to passenger traffic in response to a surge in migrants trying to cross. Partial results are expected shortly after polls close at 1800 GMT and the competitors for the probable second round should be clear by 2030 GMT unless the results are very close. The new president will replace 75-year-old incumbent Sauli Niinisto who is required to step down after two six-year terms in office. He earned the nickname "the Putin Whisperer" during his tenure for his role in maintaining close ties with Russia, which had long been a key role for Finnish presidents.

Persons: Anne Kauranen, Alexander Stubb, Pekka Haavisto, Finns Party's Jussi Halla, Olli Rehn, Jutta Urpilainen, Sauli Niinisto, Putin, Terje Solsvik, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Anne Kauranen HELSINKI, NATO, Nordic, Moscow, Finnish Defence Forces, Green Party, Finns, Bank of Finland, Social Democrat European Locations: Finland, Ukraine, Russia, Helsinki, Oslo

Unlike in most European countries, the president of Finland holds executive power in formulating foreign and security policy, particularly when dealing with countries outside the European Union like the United States, Russia and China. “Clearly, the main task of the president is to steer foreign policy,” said Teivo Teivainen, professor of world politics at the University of Helsinki. Finland became the Western military alliance’s 31st member in April last year, much to the annoyance of Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Under the Finnish Constitution, the president decides on foreign and security policy issues together with the government. Late last year, Finland closed its border with Russia after some 1,300 migrants without proper documentation or visas arrived across the frontier just months after Finland joined NATO.

Persons: ”, Teivo Teivainen, —, Sauli Niinistö, Alexander Stubb, Pekka Haavisto, Haavisto, Jussi Halla, Olli Rehn, Niinistö, Vladimir Putin, Teivainen, Petteri, Putin, Washington —, ” Niinistö Organizations: HELSINKI, NATO, Union, University of Helsinki, Bank of Finland, Kyiv —, Hamas, Helsinki, Washington, YLE, Nordic, Kremlin Locations: Nordic, Ukraine, Russia, United States, China, Sunday’s, Finland, Ukraine —, Moscow, Sweden, Finland’s, Finnish, Moscow , Washington, Beijing, Baltic, Vainikkala

☆ How surging trade with China is boosting Russia’s war
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +15 min

Mikhail Tereshchenko | Afp | Getty ImagesThe defense ministries of China and Russia did not respond to CNBC's request for comment on the trade flows. Trade of 'dual-use' goods spikesTotal bilateral trade between Russia and China hit a record high of $190 billion in 2022, up 30% from 2021. Semiconductor sales to Russia from China and Hong Kong more than doubled in 2022 as Western sanctions took hold. Meantime, construction equipment has played an "underappreciated" but significant role in China's contribution to Russia's war efforts, having helped bolster its defenses against Ukraine's counteroffensive, Joseph Webster, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said. The findings add to the growing list of Chinese goods and companies reported to be supplying Russia's military, including state-owned enterprises.

Persons: Vladimir Putin's, Mark Cancian, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Mikhail Tereshchenko, Wang Yi, China's, Putin, Li Shangfu, —, Qilai Shen, Antonia Hmaidi, Cancian, they've, Hong Kong Retekess, Legittelecom, It's, Silva, Hmaidi, Joseph Webster, Webster, that's, Ramzan Kadyrov, Russia's Organizations: CNBC, for Strategic, International Studies, Kremlin, Afp, Getty, Ukraine's Defense Ministry, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Bank of Finland's Institute, Emerging, Semiconductor, CNBC CNBC, Federal, Service, SZ DJI Technology, Robotics, Iflight, SZ, Technology, Bloomberg, Rostov, R Technology, Beijing KRnatural International Trade Co, Mercator Institute for China Studies Defense, Industry, Hong, Mercator Institute for China Studies, Moscow, ImportGenius, Ukraine's, Atlantic Council, Atlantic, U.S, China Taly Aviation Technologies, China Poly Technologies, EU, Beijing, National Security Council Locations: Ukraine, China, Washington, Russian, Moscow, Russia, Beijing, U.S, Kyiv, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, DJI, Liaoning, Shanghai, Berlin, Buryatia, Hubei, Korea, Pyongyang, Russia's, Amur, Chechen Republic, Qianwan, Qingdao Port, Shandong Province, deniability

☆ Former Finnish PM Alexander Stubb to run for president
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Former Prime Minister of Finland Alexander Stubb at the EPP congress in Helsinki, November 7, 2018. Lehtikuva/Jussi Nukari via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHELSINKI, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb said on Wednesday that he will be a candidate in Finland's presidential election due in January of 2024. His announcement came after incumbent premier Petteri Orpo on Sunday asked Stubb to become the National Coalition party's candidate. "In this geopolitical situation the answer is unequivocal: when the fatherland calls, then we go," Stubb told reporters. Stubb, currently a professor and director of the European University Institute in Florence, Italy, held several ministerial posts before serving as prime minister between 2014 and 2015.

Persons: Finland Alexander Stubb, Lehtikuva, Jussi Nukari, Alexander Stubb, Petteri Orpo, Stubb, Pekka Haavisto, Mika Aaltola, Olli Rehn, Anne Kauranen, Terje Solsvik Organizations: EPP, REUTERS, Rights, National Coalition, European University Institute, Bank of Finland, Thomson Locations: Finland, Helsinki, Finnish, Florence, Italy

☆ Morning Bid: Still seeking decisive stimulus in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Sonali DesaiDisappointment has been the prevailing sentiment so far this week as investors grow impatient with the wait for more decisive Chinese stimulus measures. China delivered the expected 10 basis-point reduction to its lending benchmarks, but disappointed those looking for a bigger cut to the mortgage-linked five-year loan prime rate. Chinese property stocks took a hit and the yuan came under further pressure, reversing much of its bounce against the U.S. dollar late last week when stimulus expectations were driving price action. Still, that helped Australian shares build on recent gains to reach a seven-week high, bucking declines across Asian bourses where rising Treasury yields and souring anticipation of Chinese stimulus efforts spurred broad declines. The wary investor mood is likely to spill into Europe, where the data calendar is confined to German producer prices for May.

Persons: Sonali Desai, Antony Blinken's, Luis de, Pablo Hernandez de Cos, Olli Rehn, Elizabeth McCaul, Luis de Guindos, St Louis, James Bullard, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Sonali, U.S ., Reuters, Bank of Australia's, European Central Bank, Bank of Spain, Bank of Finland, St, Barcelona School of, Thomson Locations: Asia, China, Europe, Luis de Guindos, Hungary

☆ ECB must 'carry on and act consistently' with interest rate hikes, policymaker says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The European Central Bank must "carry on and act consistently" with interest rate hikes as it continues its efforts to tackle high inflation, policymaker Olli Rehn said Friday. Euro zone core inflation — which excludes volatile energy, food, alcohol and tobacco prices — reached an all-time record of 5.7% in March, up from 5.6% in February. Headline inflation, meanwhile, fell significantly to an annual rate of 6.9% last month. "Inflation is still by far too high, and especially I'm concerned about core inflation, underlying inflation," Rehn told CNBC's Joumanna Bercetche at the International Monetary Fund's spring meeting in Washington, D.C. The ECB has raised interest rates by 50 basis points at its last six consecutive policy meetings.

☆ Risks to European economy remain tilted to the downside, ECB policymaker says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRisks to European economy remain tilted to the downside, ECB policymaker saysOlli Rehn, Governor of the Bank of Finland and member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, says risks remain to the downside in Europe. Regarding the ECB's forthcoming interest rate decision, he says that it must "carry on and act consistently."

☆ Robinhood traders are getting smarter with their money. The platform's head of investment strategy explained why.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Steph Guild, Robinhood's head of investment strategy. RobinhoodSteph Guild is the head of investment strategy at Robinhood. Phil Rosen: How have retail investors on Robinhood changed their investing habits now compared to 2022? As the economy faces more risks like a recession and a potential credit crunch, do you think retail investors will change their strategy? What do you think of Guild's insights on retail investors?

☆ New EU debt rules have way to avoid past mistakes
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Rebecca Christie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

BRUSSELS, April 4 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The European Union’s new set of fiscal rules need to answer two simple questions: will they help the bloc’s economy grow? The fiscal rules are at the crossroads of the EU’s monetary union and budgetary sovereignty. Past rounds of budget rules have carried the threat of top-level sanctions but the enforcers could not follow through. EU countries need to encourage scale-up financing and allow more cross-border cooperation. New rules need to put the future ahead of philosophy to have a chance to work.

☆ Morning Bid: Leaning back to Fed hike, UK inflation jolt
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Two weeks of U.S. and European banking stress and failures leaves the Federal Reserve and other major central banks in the unenviable position of choosing between stabilising financial systems and fighting still historically high inflation. On top of that, the latest quarterly economic projections from Fed policymakers may reveal a big dispersion of views. Beyond the Fed, the dire UK inflation reading seems to have solidified expectations of another BoE rate rise on Thursday and a further move later in the year. If nothing else, it underlines in red ink just how all central banks are totally dependent now on incoming data evidence on what's happening in the real economy. With the U.S. dollar lower across the board ahead of the Fed meeting, sterling hit its highest level since early February.

☆ Putin’s Russia will look more like North Korea
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Pierre Briancon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Dec 22 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The Western sanctions that followed the invasion of Ukraine have made it impossible for Russia to import what it needs. Foreign investors are staying away, thousands of the country’s elite have emigrated, and the price of its main export has sunk. The great shut-off of its economy will accelerate in 2023, as Moscow moves closer to the North Korean economic model. The invasion of Ukraine has inflicted damage on Russia, which depends heavily on the export of oil and gas. As a result, the Russian economy will take a hit.

Search resuls for: "Bank of Finland"

22 mentions found