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☆ Euro jumps on inflation while dollar braces for jobs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The lettering Euro can be seen on a 1 euro coin, taken on 10 August 2023, in Baden-Württemberg, Rottweil. The euro stood at a 15-year high on the yen on Thursday on signs of sticky inflation in Europe, while the dollar was squeezed ahead of consumption, inflation and jobs data that could add to evidence of a softening economy. Annual inflation in Germany and Spain barely slowed in August, against expectations, data on Wednesday showed. Europe-wide inflation data is also due later on Thursday, as is U.S. personal consumption data and core PCE — which is the Federal Reserve's favored inflation gauge. It has been steadying with traders wary of the risk of official intervention, and was last at 146.07 per dollar.

Persons: Sterling Organizations: Traders, China PMI, Federal, Commerce Department, ANZ Bank ., New Zealand, Aussie Locations: Baden, Europe, Germany, Spain, Asia, China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, United States

☆ Data show inflation rising in some German states
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Inflation rose in four of six key German states in August, according to data released on Wednesday, casting doubt on a continuation of a national downward trend. The national data will be published at 1200 GMT. Data from Bavaria and Hesse showed that inflation eased modestly in those states to 5.9% and 6.0%, respectively. Bastian Hepperle, economist at Hauck Aufhaeuser Lampe Privatbank, said inflation in Germany was still expected to slow despite the mixed picture. However, inflation remains well above the European Central Bank target of 2% and core inflation, excluding volatile prices like food and energy, has been stubbornly high.

Persons: Chandon, Annegret, Bastian Hepperle, Hauck Aufhaeuser Lampe Privatbank, Price, Rachel More, René Wagner, Friederike Heine Our Organizations: Moet, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, North Rhine, Westphalia, Germany's, Baden, Wuerttemberg, Brandenburg, Saxony, Bavaria, Hesse, Europe's, Ukraine

A 3D-printed oil pump jack is seen in front of displayed OPEC logo in this illustration picture, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File PhotoSummary OPEC flags healthy oil market fundamentals in second halfUS consumer prices rise moderately in JulyChina tips into deflation as efforts to stoke recovery falterBEIJING, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell marginally on Friday as investors weighed optimistic demand forecasts from the OPEC producer group against mixed economic data in top importer China. Brent crude fell 15 cents to $86.25 a barrel at 0515 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 13 cents at $82.69 a barrel. Market sentiment was also lifted by Thursday's U.S. consumer prices data for July, which fuelled speculation the Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its aggressive rate hike cycle. Data this week also showed China's consumer prices fell into deflation and factory gate prices extended declines in July, raising concerns about fuel demand in the world's second-largest economy.

Persons: Dado, Brent, Tina Teng, Teng, Baden Moore, Moore, Stephanie Kelly, Andrew Hayley, Shri Navaratnam, Simon Cameron Organizations: REUTERS, China, U.S, West Texas, CMC Markets, The, of Petroleum Exporting, Thursday's U.S, Federal Reserve, National Australia Bank, bbl, Thomson Locations: China, BEIJING, OPEC, Auckland, June's, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, Baden, 2H23, New York, Beijing

A 3D-printed oil pump jack is seen in front of displayed OPEC logo in this illustration picture, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File PhotoSummary OPEC flags healthy oil market fundamentals in second halfUS consumer prices rise moderately in JulyChina tips into deflation as efforts to stoke recovery falterBEIJING, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Oil prices were largely unchanged in Asian morning trade as investors weighed optimistic demand forecasts from the OPEC producer group against mixed economic data in top importer China. In 2024, "solid" economic growth amid continued improvements in China is expected to boost oil consumption, it added. Market sentiment was also lifted by Thursday's U.S. consumer prices data for July, which fuelled speculation the Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its aggressive rate hike cycle. However, Teng also noted that "China’s sluggish economic data and the retreat on Wall Street weighs on risk sentiment, and a strengthened USD also pressured commodity prices".

Persons: Dado, Brent, Tina Teng, Teng, Baden Moore, Moore, Stephanie Kelly, Andrew Hayley, Shri Navaratnam, Simon Cameron Organizations: REUTERS, China, U.S, West Texas, CMC Markets, The, of, Petroleum, Thursday's U.S, Federal Reserve, National Australia Bank, bbl, Thomson Locations: China, BEIJING, OPEC, Auckland, June's, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, Baden, 2H23, New York, Beijing

☆ Gold heads for monthly gain on hopes for an end to rate-hike cycle
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bars of gold are seen at the Krastsvetmet company, one of the world's largest producers of precious metals in Moscow, Russia on January 31, 2023. Gold prices were bound for their biggest monthly gain in four on Monday as expectations grew that major global central banks may be nearing the end of current monetary policy tightening cycles. Spot gold was down 0.2% at $1,954.79 per ounce by 0431 GMT, while U.S. gold futures slipped 0.4% to $1,953.80 per ounce. Gold prices were set to end the month about 1.8% higher, the most since March, as expectations that U.S. interest rates could be nearing their peak put the dollar on track for its second straight monthly decline. Other precious metals also looked set to post monthly rises, with spot silver leading at 6.5%, but down 0.5% on the day at $24.22 an ounce.

Persons: Matt Simpson, Simpson, Baden Moore Organizations: Federal Reserve, Central Bank, National Australia Bank Locations: Moscow, Russia, China

July 28 (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped in Asian trade on Friday but were on track for a fifth straight week of gains following strong economic data in the U.S., and on speculation over Chinese stimulus measures and OPEC+ output cuts. Brent crude fell 42 cents, or 0.5%, to $83.82 a barrel by 0404 GMT, but was on track for a weekly 3.5% increase. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 34 cents, or 0.4%, to $79.75 a barrel, but were heading for a 3.6% weekly increase. But recent interest rate increases from global central banks seeking to tame stubborn inflation raised questions about long term demand. Earlier this week oil fell after data showed U.S. crude inventories fell less than expected.

Persons: Brent, Jerome Powell's, Baden Moore, Jim Ritterbusch, Laura Sanicola, Andrew Hayley, Lincoln, Sonali Paul Organizations: . West Texas, Commerce Department, Federal, Organization of, Petroleum, bbl, National Australia Bank, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Ritterbusch, Associates, Thomson Locations: U.S, 3Q23, Saudi, Galena , Illinois, Washington, Beijing

☆ Gold prices brace for biggest weekly decline in five
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

At Agosi AG in Pforzheim, freshly cast gold granules are on display that have a fine gold content of 99.99 percent. Gold prices held near two-week lows on Friday after strong U.S. economic data spurred the dollar and bond yields in a high interest rate environment that dragged the non-interest-bearing metal towards its biggest weekly decline in five. Bullion has declined 0.4% so far in the week, heading for its biggest weekly fall since June 23. "Any confirmation of an adjustment at the upcoming meeting will bring about upside risks to global bond yields and weigh on the non-yielding yellow metal further." Higher U.S. interest rates and Treasury bond yields raise the opportunity cost of holding gold.

Persons: Bullion, Yeap Jun Rong Organizations: Agosi AG, Bank of Japan, IG, U.S, Fed, Higher Locations: Pforzheim, Baden, Württemberg, U.S

"I am worried because we are in a deep real estate crisis. And the real estate crisis needs clear, structured and downright radical steps to fix it," Mattner said. For years, Germany's property market has been seen as a safe haven, becoming a major draw for foreign investors. Recent data shows the stress the property sector is facing as the European Central Bank hikes interest rates, with little respite in sight. The fall is "catastrophic," said Andreas Beulich, head of the Federal Association of Independent Real Estate and Housing Companies.

Persons: Kai Pfaffenbach, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Andreas Mattner, Mattner, Tim, Oliver Mueller, Mueller, Scholz, Danyal, Andreas Beulich, Mathias Duesterdick, ”, Andreas Naujoks, Simone Zapke, Emma, Victoria Farr, Matthias Inverardi, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, German Property Federation, German Construction Industry Federation, Reuters Graphics, European Central Bank, Federal Association of Independent, Housing Companies, Centrum Group, ECB, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Germany's, Europe's, Kai Pfaffenbach FRANKFURT, Baden, United States, Sweden

☆ Gold near 9-week high on weaker dollar, hopes of Fed rate pause
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold prices climbed on Thursday to a near nine-week peak, amid a weaker dollar and bets that the U.S. Federal Reserve might soon pause its interest rate hiking cycle. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $1,984.29 per ounce by 0521 GMT, close to its highest since mid-May. Gold has been supported by the dollar weakening and inflation prints coming in lower, said Brian Lan of Singapore dealer GoldSilver Central. The dollar index was 0.2% lower, close to an over one-year low, making gold cheaper for holders of other currencies. Spot silver rose 0.2% to $25.21 per ounce, platinum was down 0.1% to $971.87 while palladium slipped 0.6% to $1,300.21.

Persons: Brian Lan, We've, Lan, Baden Moore Organizations: U.S . Federal, GoldSilver Central, Investors, National Australia Bank Locations: Brian Lan of Singapore, Asia

☆ Engineering group ABB increases orders despite China slowdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( John Revill | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The logo of Swiss power technology and automation group ABB is seen at a plant in Baden, Switzerland January 28, 2019. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File PhotoSummaryCompanies Company increases orders by 2% on comparable basisChina orders fall 9%CEO sees customer activity remaining robustCore operating margin reaches highest levelZURICH, July 20 (Reuters) - ABB (ABBN.S) said customer activity remained "robust" during its second quarter despite the Swiss engineering company providing the latest evidence of an economic slowdown in China. Still, ABB increased its orders in the United States - its biggest market - and India, which helped offset the downturn as the company increased its overall order intake by 2%. Chief Executive Bjorn Rosengren highlighted how ABB, whose products range from electric motors for ships to drives used in factories, had increased orders from "last year's already high level." "It was good to see that the customer activity remained robust throughout the period," said Rosengren in a statement.

Persons: Arnd, Bjorn Rosengren, John Revill, Friederike Heine, Kim Coghill Organizations: ABB, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Swiss, Baden, Switzerland, China, ZURICH, Germany, United States, India

☆ Inflation up in German states, pointing to national rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, June 29 (Reuters) - Inflation rose in five economically important German states in the month of June, preliminary data showed on Thursday, suggesting a bumpy road ahead for German inflation. In May, inflation rates for those five states, out of 16 in Germany, stood at between 5.7% and 6.6%. National inflation data will be published at 1200 GMT, with economists surveyed by Reuters forecasting a 6.3% year-on-year rise, up from 6.1% in the previous month. June inflation data for the bloc is due on Friday. As a consequence, German inflation dipped in June 2022.

Persons: Maria Martinez, Balazs Koranyi, Friederike Heine, Toby Chopra Organizations: Reuters, European Central Bank, ECB, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, North, Rhine Westphalia, Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hesse, Baden, Wuerttemberg, Germany

☆ Jeffrey Epstein's brother remains convinced the financier was murdered, calling new DOJ report 'blatant bullshit'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The DOJ inspector general released a long-awaited report concluding Jeffrey Epstein killed himself. Mark Epstein, his brother, isn't convinced. On Tuesday morning, the Justice Department's Office of Inspector General published its long-awaiting report into Jeffrey Epstein's death. Epstein's body was examined by Kristen Roman, a medical examiner for the city of New York. Investigators also spoke to three other inmates in the cell block who could see directly into Epstein's cell from their own cells.

Persons: Jeffrey Epstein, Mark Epstein, isn't, —, Epstein, I've, Jeffrey Epstein's, Epstein —, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Prince Andrew —, Kristen Roman, Michael Baden, Baden, Roman, Mark Epstein isn't, Michael Thomas, Spencer Platt, Epstein Mark Epstein, Mark, they're, debrief, Nobody, EMTs, intubated Organizations: Service, Department's, Bureau of Prisons, Metropolitan Correctional Center, Getty, Justice Department, jail's Health Services Locations: Manhattan, New York, Baden, Epstein

BERLIN, May 31 (Reuters) - Inflation eased in five economically important German states in the month of May, preliminary data showed on Wednesday, suggesting that national price rises are set to slow to their lowest in more than a year. The inflation rate in North-Rhine Westphalia fell to 5.7%, while in Bavaria it slowed to 6.1%, in Brandenburg to 6.3%, in Hesse to 5.9% and in Baden-Wuerttemberg to 6.6%. In April, inflation rates for those five states, out of 16 in Germany, had been between 6.8% and 7.6%. National inflation data will be published at 1200 GMT, with economists surveyed by Reuters forecasting a 6.5% year-on-year rise. Furthermore, the base effects from high energy and food prices in May 2022 will disappear from the year-on-year comparison.

Persons: Luis de Guindos, Maria Martinez, Balazs Koranyi, Matthias Williams, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Reuters, European Central Bank, ECB, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, Rhine Westphalia, Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hesse, Baden, Wuerttemberg, Germany, Dutch

☆ Oil drops as economic growth concerns offset OPEC+ cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Alex Lawler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Fed, which meets on May 2-3, is expected to increase interest rates by another 25 basis points. The U.S. dollar rose against a basket of currencies on Monday, making oil more expensive for other currency holders. "The failure to reach more solid ground above $80.50 in Brent points to continued selling interest amid the well known growth/demand concerns," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank. "We believe the oil market will be in deficit through the remainder of the second quarter" following the OPEC+ cuts, said Baden Moore, head of commodity and carbon strategy at National Australia Bank. Reporting by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Kenneth MaxwellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Oil drops as US rate hike concern, weak China data offset OPEC+ cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Alex Lawler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Fed, which meets on May 2-3, is expected to increase interest rates by another 25 basis points. The U.S. dollar rose against a basket of currencies on Monday, making oil more expensive for other currency holders. Weak economic data from China also weighed. "We believe the oil market will be in deficit through the remainder of the second quarter" following the OPEC+ cuts, said NAB's Moore, who added that the bank expected the curbs plus higher demand to drive prices higher. Reporting by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Kenneth MaxwellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Oil prices drop as US rate hike fears, weak China data offset supply cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Katya Golubkova | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Fed is expected to increase interest rates by another 25 basis points this week. The U.S. central bank has raised its policy rate by 475 basis points since March of last year from the near-zero level to the current 4.75%-5.00% range. In the week ahead, the Reserve Bank of Australia is widely expected to extend a rate hike pause on Tuesday and the European Central Bank could surprise with an outsized half-point increase on Thursday. Brent crude has been tracking broader markets in recent sessions, with a slew of economic data creating more uncertainty about the outlook," ANZ Research said in a client note. Reporting by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Kenneth MaxwellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Vonovia to sell 1 bln eur stake in residential portfolio to Apollo
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, April 26 (Reuters) - Vonovia (VNAn.DE) has agreed to sell a minority stake in its Suedewo residential portfolio to U.S. investor Apollo for 1 billion euros ($1.10 billion), Germany's largest real estate group said on Thursday. The transaction could have a signal effect on the struggling German real estate market, where hardly any major sales have occurred in recent months in the face of high interest rates and falling real estate prices. The transaction values the Suedewo portfolio in the southwestern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg at 3.3 billion euros, which is a discount of less than 5% to Suedewo's fair value as of December 31, Vonovia said. With the proceeds, Vonovia will generate around half of the targeted 2 billion euros in free cash flow from asset sales. To secure access to capital amidst the property market crisis, the group earmarked properties worth 13 billion euros for sale in the summer.

☆ Germany has shut down its last three nuclear power plants, and some climate scientists are aghast
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Catherine Clifford | In Catclifford | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

16 April 2023, Baden-Württemberg, Neckarwestheim: The Neckarwestheim nuclear power plant. The era of commercial power generation with nuclear power plants in Germany came to an end on Saturday with the separation of the Isar 2, Neckarwestheim and Emsland nuclear power plants from the power grid. Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty ImagesAs of Sunday, April 16, Germany is no longer producing any electricity from nuclear power plants. With the separation of the Isar 2, Neckarwestheim and Emsland nuclear power plants from the power grid, the era of commercial power generation with nuclear power plants in Germany came to an end on Saturday. Nuclear energy is also often more expensive than wind and solar power, Quaschning said, adding, "there are no longer any real advantages with nuclear energy."

[1/5] A general view shows the Neckarwestheim nuclear power plant, as Germany shuts down its last nuclear power plants in Neckarwestheim, Germany, April 14, 2023. Following years of prevaricating, Germany pledged to quit nuclear power definitively after Japan's 2011 Fukushima disaster sent radiation spewing into the air and terrifying the world. Germany's commercial nuclear sector began with the commissioning of the Kahl reactor in 1961: eagerly promoted by politicians but met with scepticism by companies. With the end of the atomic power era, Germany has to find a permanent repository for around 1,900 highly radioactive casks of nuclear waste by 2031. The government also acknowledges that safety issues remain given that neighbours France and Switzerland still depend heavily on nuclear power.

"It cannot be that financial institutions are doing well because they treat their customers badly," Chan-Jae Yoo, a BaFin official, said in an interview. Deutsche Kreditwirtschaft, an umbrella organisation that lobbies for German finance, said German banks are "extremely stable and robust" and confidence remains "high" and "unaffected" by recent turmoil stemming from the collapse of lenders in the United States and Switzerland. "The mere fact that consumers are increasingly asking us and seeking our advice is proof enough that they do not fully trust financial institutions," he said. Protections and rights for customers of financial institutions have come under increased scrutiny from regulators and the German courts. "We want services to establish themselves in the marketplace that meet consumer needs, not feed the financial industry," he said.

☆ Oil falls as weak U.S. economic data stokes recession fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil fell on Thursday as weak U.S. economic data raised concerns over a potential global recession and demand reduction, but benchmark prices were headed for a weekly advance after OPEC+ announced further output cuts and U.S. oil stocks dropped. "Crude oil's rally paused as it battled the headwinds created by the weak economic data. The slew of soft economic data soured market sentiment, stoking fears of a recession and prompting investors to adopt risk aversion strategies. U.S. crude inventories fell 3.7 million barrels last week, about 1.5 million barrels more than forecast, government data showed. Gasoline and distillate stocks also fell more than expected, drawing down by 4.1 million barrels and 3.6 million barrels, respectively.

☆ German inflation expected to ease significantly in March
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BERLIN, March 30 (Reuters) - Inflation is expected to ease significantly in Germany in March on the back of lower energy prices, preliminary data from six economically key states in the country showed on Thursday. The inflation rate in Brandenburg and Baden-Wuerttemberg fell to 7.8% year-on-year. In February, inflation rates for the six states had been between 8.3% and 9.2%. "It will directly raise inflation as local authorities will have to hike rubbish administrative fees and health insurers raise contribution rates to pay for the higher costs." While headline inflation slackens, core inflation - excluding energy and food - is expected to remain high.

China currently dominates the supply chain for many of the entries on Europe's list of "strategic" metals. By which time not more than 65% of any strategic metal's consumption will be able to come from a single third country. Europe has no strategic metal inventory, unlike the United States, China and South Korea. Given such a humble starting point, it seems unlikely EU strategic metal reserves are going to come any time soon, if they come at all. What started as a response to China's dominance of critical metals supply has been accelerated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

☆ Oil falls more than $2 on banking concerns, likely Fed rate hike
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Emily Chow | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Brent crude futures for May settlement fell $2.32, or 3.2%, to $70.65 a barrel at 0710 GMT. Last week, Brent fell nearly 12%, its biggest weekly fall since December. A slowdown in interest rate hikes could depress the greenback, making dollar-denominated commodities like crude oil more affordable for holders of other currencies. "Volatility is likely to linger this week, with broader financial market concerns likely to remain at the forefront. Separately, Goldman Sachs cut its forecasts for Brent crude after prices plunged on banking and recession fears.

The slide in oil comes despite a historic deal which will see UBS, Switzerland's largest bank, buying the country's No. "The market focus is on current banking sector volatility and the potential for further rate hikes by the Fed," said Baden Moore, National Australia Bank's head of commodity research. A slowdown in interest rate hikes could depress the greenback, making dollar-denominated commodities like crude oil more affordable for holders of other currencies. "The U.S. Fed will be most important institution to watch this week," said Commonwealth Bank of Australia analyst Vivek Dhar in a note. Separately, Goldman Sachs cut its forecasts for Brent crude after prices plunged on banking and recession fears.

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