Google's results in particular bode ill for Facebook parent Meta Platforms (META.O), especially reliant on advertising and reporting its results late on Wednesday. Consumer blues contrasted with bumper earnings from banks who are raking in huge windfalls from rising interest rates - direct cash injections from reserves they hold at central banks along with higher net interest margins and trading revenues flattered by volatile markets. read more read more read more read moreEuropean banks reporting this week matched Wall St counterparts on that score, raising conundrums for the European Central Bank meeting this week and Bank of England and U.S. Federal Reserve gatherings next week. They all plan further policy rate rises to rein in inflation - but this also involves direct transfers to their banks and potentially a drain on government finances. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

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