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☆ Australian, New Zealand dollars scale new highs on China boost
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

An Australian one-hundred dollar banknote, top, and a New Zealand one-hundred dollar banknote are arranged for a photograph in Hong Kong, China, on Thursday, March 13, 2014. The Australian and New Zealand dollars scaled multi-month peaks on Wednesday while sterling hit its highest in more than two years against a weaker dollar, as China's aggressive stimulus package provided the latest shot in the arm for risk appetite. Data on Tuesday showed U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly fell in September, amid mounting worries over the health of the labor market. Against a basket of currencies, the dollar last stood at 100.28, languishing near a more than one-year low of 100.21. The dollar index had fallen more than 0.5% in the previous session, its largest one-day percentage fall in a month.

Persons: Sterling, Carol Kong, Wells Organizations: New, Bank of, Federal Reserve, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, greenback, Markets Locations: Australian, New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, Bank of England, U.S, Wells Fargo

☆ Caught cold by UniCredit’s swoop on Commerzbank, Germany will want to avoid a national embarrassment
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A protestor holds a placard with a slogan reading "Stop Merger Horror" during a union demonstration outside the Commerzbank AG headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. It follows UniCredit's move to take a 9% stake in Commerzbank earlier this month. watch nowScholz on Monday criticized UniCredit's decision to up the ante on Commerzbank, describing the move as an "unfriendly" and "hostile" attack, Reuters reported. Commerzbank's Deputy Chair Uwe Tschaege, meanwhile, reportedly voiced opposition to a potential takeover by UniCredit on Tuesday. The Commerzbank AG headquarters, in the financial district of Frankfurt, Germany, on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.

Persons: it's, UniCredit, Octavio Marenzi, Opimas, CNBC's, Olaf Scholz, He's, Marenzi, Scholz, UniCredit's, Uwe Tschaege, Tschaege, Andrea Orcel, Stefan Wittman, Germany's Scholz, Craig Coben, Coben, Emanuele Cremaschi Organizations: Commerzbank, Bloomberg, Getty, CNBC, Reuters, UniCredit, BBVA, Banco Sabadell, Bank of America, AG Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Berlin, Milan, Commerzbank, Spanish

☆ Oil prices rise on concerns of wider Middle East conflict, U.S. storm
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices rose on Tuesday on concerns the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah may impact supply in the key Middle East producing region and a tropical storm may impact output in the U.S., the world's biggest crude producer, later this week. Oil prices rose on Tuesday on concerns the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah may impact supply in the key Middle East producing region and a tropical storm may impact output in the U.S., the world's biggest crude producer, later this week. Brent crude futures for November were up 21 cents, or 0.3%, at $74.11 a barrel at 0030 GMT. "The oil market has been concerned that rising tensions in the region were dragging the OPEC oil producer closer to engagement," said ANZ bank said in a note, referring to Iran. U.S. oil producers were evacuating staff from Gulf of Mexico oil production platforms as forecasters predicted the second major hurricane in two weeks could tear through offshore oil producing fields.

Organizations: Brent, Hezbollah, ANZ, U.S, National Hurricane Center Locations: Israel, U.S, Lebanon, Iranian, Hamas, Gaza, Iran, Gulf Coast, Gulf, Mexico, Cuba

☆ Aussie dollar near 2024 high before RBA; yen drifts as Ueda awaited
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Australian dollar hovered close to its highest level of the year on Tuesday, with the central bank set to hold policy steady later and traders focused on any hints of potential near-term easing. The Australian dollar hovered close to its highest level of the year on Tuesday, with the central bank set to hold policy steady later and traders focused on any hints of potential near-term easing. The yen edged up to 143.45 per dollar, but remained close to the center of its September range of 147.20 to 139.58, a more than one-year peak reached on Sept. 16. The yen has retreated amid waning bets for aggressive tightening by the BOJ, particularly after governor Ueda struck a cautious tone of Friday, saying the central bank would spend some time monitoring global growth risks. The BoE kept rates unchanged last Thursday, with its governor saying the central bank had to be "careful not to cut too fast or by too much".

Persons: Kazuo Ueda, —, Pan Gongsheng, Ueda, Sterling, BoE Organizations: U.S, Bank of Japan, Bank of England, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Reuters, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, People's Bank of China, P Global Locations: China

☆ European markets set for choppy open as growth concerns return
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Tourists take pictures under the rain in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. LONDON — European stocks are expected to open in mixed territory Tuesday as economic uncertainty and concerns over Europe's growth outlook return to the fore. The U.K.'s FTSE index is expected to open 4 points higher at 8,253, Germany's DAX up 23 points at 18,852, France's CAC 40 up 19 points at 7,518 and Italy's FTSE MIB 16 points higher at 33,610, according to data from IG. Market participants will be keeping an eye on shares of Commerzbank Tuesday after the stock fell around 5.7% Monday after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized what he described as UniCredit's "hostile" and "unfriendly" move on the bank, Reuters reported. His comments came shortly after Italy's UniCredit announced it had increased its stake in the German lender to around 21% and submitted a request to boost the holding to up to 29.9%, signaling a takeover bid might be on the cards.

Persons: Germany's DAX, Olaf Scholz, Italy's UniCredit Organizations: Eiffel, LONDON, CAC, IG, Reuters Locations: Paris

☆ Europe could be drifting into a downturn as France and Germany fight economic and political woes
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-23 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Europe could be drifting in to a downturn as its biggest economies, Germany and France, fight political and economic woes at home. In Germany, composite purchasing manager's index (PMI data) measuring business activity in both sectors, came in at XXXX, down from XXX in August. In France, meanwhile, the composite PMI fell in September to an eight-month low of 47.4 from 53.1 in August. In the euro zone as a whole, the PMI data showed a decline from XXX last month to XXX, in September. Once Europe's poster-child for growth, Germany is now likened to the "sick man" of Europe by economists.

Persons: Pariser, —, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, J.P, Greg Fuzesi Organizations: Pariser Platz, PMI, Social Democratic Party, SPD Locations: Berlin, Germany, Europe, France, Brandenberg, Thuringia, Saxony, Morgan

☆ Yen nurses losses as BOJ meets, dollar dogged by rate outlook
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Japanese 10,000 yen, left, and US 100 dollar banknotes arranged for a photograph in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, May 10, 2024. It has been a tough week for the yen, with the euro gaining 2.2% to 159.46 as speculators booked profit on recent long yen positions. The dollar was up 1.4% for the week at 142.84 yen , though off an overnight high of 143.95. "As such, there is scope to further raise the policy rate while keeping financial conditions accommodative," she said. "The recent financial market ructions and the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party election may make the BOJ more cautious about raising."

Persons: Samara Hammoud, Kazuo Ueda, Sterling Organizations: Bank of, U.S ., CBA, 25bp, Liberal Democratic Party, U.S Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Bank of Japan, Samara, China, U.S . Federal, Bank of England

☆ I help the ultrawealthy secure golden visas and golden passports. Here are the top 5 countries they want to move to.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Armand Arton, 47, president of Arton Capital, a financial advisory firm, about golden visas and passports. We advise them about golden visas and golden passports — government programs that offer residency or citizenship rights to foreign investors. AdvertisementDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, many American investors couldn't enter Europe, so they are now looking for residency programs in European countries. After this year's elections in France and the UK, we're also seeing millionaires in those countries looking to relocate. I'd advise wealthy migrants to get in on programs sooner rather than laterThe number of applicants for golden visas increases every year.

Persons: —, Armand Arton, couldn't, we're, haven't, I've, It's, Brexit, We've, who've, Irma, Maria, it's, I'd Organizations: Service, Arton, Arton Capital, Business, Caribbean Locations: Europe, France, Hungary, Portugal, Spain, Property, Greece, Italy, England, Germany, UAE, Antigua, Barbuda, Bulgaria, Ireland

☆ Hannah Hampton is one of the world’s top goalkeepers, but she still can’t help spilling water
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Don Riddell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The Chelsea and England national team goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was just 11 years old when the diagnosis was made. Yet somehow, Hampton is now one of the best ‘keepers in the world, and she can’t quite explain how she conquered such seemingly impossible odds. Everyone was just laughing at me because, obviously, they know!”Hampton makes a save during the League Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea. She gives a lot of energy to the group.”Hayes has since moved on from Chelsea, quickly winning an Olympic gold medal with the US women’s team in Paris. “Chelsea without Emma feels a bit weird and sounds weird saying it,” Hampton reflected.

Persons: Hannah Hampton, Hampton, “, ”, “ They’re, Hampton chuckled, Adrian Dennis, Santi Cazorla, Marcos Senna, I’d, didn’t, ” Hampton, Jayde Chamberlain, Sipa, it’s, ” Hampton’s, she’d, “ Hannah, Emma Hayes, “ She’s, She’s, ” Hayes, Sonia Bompastor, “ Chelsea, Emma, Sonia, David Lidstrom, don’t, we’ve Organizations: CNN, England national, CNN Sport, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Chelsea, League, Arsenal, Getty, Villarreal, Villarreal Youth, Stoke City Centre of Excellence, Ireland, AP, England, Stoke City, Birmingham City, Aston Villa, Blues, US Locations: Chelsea, Birmingham, United States, AFP, England, Spain, Stoke, Paris, Lyon, France, Sweden, Hampton, Europe

☆ What buying Commerzbank would mean for UniCredit — and the banking sector
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( April Roach | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Last week, UniCredit announced it had taken a 9% stake in Commerzbank, confirming that half of this shareholding was acquired from the government. Commerzbank shares jumped 20% on the day UniCredit's stake was announced. A cross-border styled merger between UniCredit and Commerzbank would be more preferential than a domestic merger between Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank, according to Reint Gropp, president of the Hall Institute for Economic Research. "The German banking structure is long overdue for a consolidation process. The German bank also has less excess capital than UniCredit and therefore "cannot really afford" a takeover, Alloatti said.

Persons: Kirill Kudryavtsev, UniCredit, Andrea Orcel, Commerzbank, Orcel, Ignacio Cerezo, Berenberg, David Benamou, Benamou, CNBC's, Arnaud Journois, Journois, Emmanuel Macron, Reint Gropp, Gropp, Filippo Alloatti, Hermes, Alloatti, We've Organizations: Afp, Getty, Bloomberg, Reuters, UniCredit, Wednesday, UBS, Investments, European, Morningstar, Commerzbank, Analysts, CNBC, Deutsche Bank, Hall Institute for Economic Research, Will Deutsche Bank, ABN Amro Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Commerzbank, Berlin, Italian, U.S, Europe, UniCredit, Italy

☆ Dollar rebounds after Fed goes big on rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. dollar rose broadly on Thursday, recovering from an earlier tumble in the immediate aftermath of the Federal Reserve's outsized interest rate cut that had been largely priced in by markets. The U.S. dollar rose broadly on Thursday, recovering from an earlier tumble in the immediate aftermath of the Federal Reserve's outsized interest rate cut that had been largely priced in by markets. Fed policymakers on Wednesday projected the benchmark interest rate would fall by another half of a percentage point by the end of this year, a full percentage point next year and half of a percentage point in 2026, though they said the outlook that far into the future is necessarily uncertain. "So to expect an easing today because of what the Fed has done seems a little bit too hard to believe." Elsewhere, the Australian dollar edged up 0.05% against its U.S. counterpart to $0.6768, while the New Zealand dollar advanced 0.04% to $0.6210.

Persons: Jerome Powell, it's, Rodrigo Catril, —, Eric Robertsen, Sterling, NAB's Organizations: U.S, Wednesday, Reuters, National Australia Bank, Bank of England, New Zealand Locations: U.S, Singapore

☆ Dollar catches footing ahead of Fed
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar steadied on Wednesday as stronger-than-expected U.S. retail sales had traders slightly trimming bets that the U.S. easing cycle will begin with an outsized interest rate cut. The Federal Reserve is expected to make its first interest rate cut in more than four years at 1800 GMT, which will be followed by a news conference half an hour later. A rate cut is fully priced, with interest rate futures implying a 63% chance of a 50 basis point cut, after flirting with 70% a day earlier. Traders say the Fed's tone as well as the size of the rate cut will drive the next moves in the foreign exchange market. China's stock, bond and currency markets resume trade on Wednesday after the mid-autumn festival break, though it is a holiday on Wednesday in Hong Kong.

Persons: Nathan Swami, Swami Organizations: Federal, Traders, Citi, Australian, New Zealand, Sterling, Bank of, ANZ Bank Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Asia, U.S, Japan, Atlanta, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bank of England

☆ Google wins court challenge to the EU's $1.7 billion antitrust fine over ad product
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A Google logo displays on a smartphone screen and the European flag on a computer screen. The European Union's second-highest court on Wednesday said a 1.5 billion euro ($1.7 billion) fine imposed on Google by regulators should be annulled, siding with the U.S. tech giant after it challenged the ruling. The case stems from 2019 when the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said Alphabet -owned Google had abused its market dominance in relation to a product called AdSense for Search. Google acts as an intermediary allowing advertisers to serve ads via search on third-party websites. The Commission fined Google 1.49 billion euros at the time.

Organizations: Google, U.S, European Commission

☆ What a Fed rate cut could mean for the world
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

watch nowThe U.S. Federal Reserve is on Wednesday heading for its first interest rate cut since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic — and despite the move being widely forecast, global investors are braced for impact. Global impactA key concern is the pressure interest rate differentials put on currencies. Oil and other commodities, usually priced in dollars, often receive a boost with a rate cut as a lower cost of borrowing can stimulate an economy and increase demand. "Interest rate cuts reduce the cost of borrowing in U.S. dollars, thereby creating easier liquidity conditions for companies around the world," Quilter Cheviot's Richard Carter continued via email. That includes whether the initial cut will reduce the Fed funds rate by 25 basis points or 50 basis points below its current 525 to 550 range.

Persons: —, Richard Carter, Cheviot, Cheviot's Richard Carter Organizations: U.S . Federal, Turkish, U.S ., Fed, Federal, Equity Locations: U.S, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Sweden

☆ European markets set for lower open as investors weigh UK inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Italy's FTSE MIB meanwhile was set to fall by around 39 points to 33,784. LONDON — European markets were headed for a lower open on Wednesday as investors considered key data from the region and looked to the U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate decision. In Europe, U.K. inflation figures for August were published Wednesday, coming in at 2.2% according to data from the Office for National Statistics. The data comes ahead of the Bank of England meeting and interest rate policy decision scheduled for later this week. The Fed is all but guaranteed to announce an interest rate cut on Wednesday, which would be its first since it started hiking rates in March 2022.

Persons: Germany's DAX Organizations: CAC, LONDON, U.S . Federal, Office, National Statistics, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, U.S . Federal Reserve, Traders Locations: Europe, Asia, Pacific

☆ Mass rape trial in France sheds light on what women say is a ‘rape culture’
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Linda Hervieux | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +12 min

“I am a rapist, like the others in this room,” Pelicot told the court Tuesday, as his long-awaited testimony began. In a move rarely seen in France, Pelicot refused to remain anonymous. While many are charged with raping Gisèle Pelicot one time, others are charged with as many as six assaults. Indeed, Dominique Pelicot had been arrested before, nabbed in a supermarket outside Paris in 2010, using a pen-camera to film under women’s skirts. Dominique Pelicot obtained hundreds of prescription drugs from his own doctor, who declined to speak to police.

Persons: Dominique Pelicot, Gisèle Pelicot, ” Pelicot, Dominique Pelico, ” Anne, Cécile Mailfert, Pelicot, Mailfert, I’m, ” Gisèle Pelicot, don’t, ”, Gisele Pelicot, Christophe Simon, Gisèle, Le Figaro, “, Blandine Deverlanges, Amazones, ” Dominique Pelicot, —, Dominique Peliquot, Jean, Pierre Maréchal, Maréchal, ” Maréchal, Caroline Darian, Valentine Rioufol, Rioufol, Salma Sabri, ” Valentine Rioufol, Linda Hervieux, ” Sabri, it’s, Sabri, Stephanie Vincent, scoffed, ” Vincent, Charlotte Flegon, ” Flegon, I’ll Organizations: ZZIIGG, Reuters, Fondation des Femmes, NBC News, Palais de, Getty, ” Defense, ” Police, Dare, NBC Locations: MAZAN, France, Avignon, Mazan, Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille, AFP, Montségur, Lauzon, Canada, Montreal

☆ Dollar pinned down by 50 bp Fed cut bets
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The dollar traded near its lowest levels of the year on Tuesday, on the eve of the expected the start to a U.S. easing cycle that markets are betting may begin with an outsized rate cut. The euro rallied overnight to $1.1138 and traded around there early in the Asia session, not far from the year's high against the dollar of $1.1201. Fed funds futures rallied on Monday to push the chance of a 50 basis point rate cut to 67%, against 30% a week ago. "That's because the contrast between central bank outlooks will remain starkest between the Fed and the BoJ, for the time being." The U.S. dollar index weakened 0.4% overnight to 100.7, not far from its 2024 low made last month at 100.51.

Persons: Sterling — Organizations: Macquarie, Fed, Bank of, The Bank of England, New, U.S Locations: U.S, Asia, Tokyo, Bank of Japan, New Zealand

☆ Currencies listless as markets waffle over Fed rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A quarter-point reduction by the Fed as it kicks off its rate cuts is still seen as the slightly more likely outcome, but only marginally so. Futures price a total of 125 basis points in rate cuts in 2024. Investors are also looking to the Bank of Japan's interest rate decision on Friday, when it is expected to keep its short-term policy rate target steady at 0.25%. Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem meanwhile opened the door to stepping up the pace of interest rate cuts, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. The BoC, after keeping its key policy rate at 5%, a more than two-decade high, for a year, has trimmed it by a quarter point three times in a row since June.

Persons: Chris Weston, Fumio Kishida, Sanae Takaichi, Christine Lagarde, Philip R, Lane, Luis de Guindos Organizations: U.S, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, Treasury, Fed, FedWatch, Bank of, Liberal Democratic Party, Sterling, European Central Bank, ECB, Bank of Canada, Financial Times, BoC Locations: Japan, Asia, China, South Korea

☆ This is what all of your wealthy adult friends did this summer
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-15 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Adult-only summer camps have been exploding in popularity. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementForget Euro summer — travelers want to return to summer camp. The nostalgic art of sharing bunks and canoeing with new friends is no longer reserved for kids at summer sleepaway camps. Lately, an increasing number of grown-ups have begun flocking to adult-only summer camps, some for as steep as $1,200 a day.

Persons: Social's, — Organizations: Service

☆ Dollar weak as traders add to wagers of big rate cut from Fed
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

While the Fed is all but certain to cut rates next week, uncertainty around whether it will go with a 25 basis point cut or 50 basis points has kept investors on the edge and weighed on the dollar. Analysts pointed to media reports from the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal suggesting the Fed's decision would be a close call as one of the reasons for traders adding to wagers of a big rate cut next week. Higher U.S. jobless claims data released on Thursday and the Wall Street Journal article on the Fed's rate cut dilemma revived bets on a jumbo cut at the September meeting, according to Christopher Wong, currency strategist at OCBC. Besides the Fed, the Bank of England and Bank of Japan hold policy meetings next week. "Risks remain that inflation may not return to target as easily as everyone, including the Fed, seems to expect."

Persons: Christopher Wong, Christine Lagarde, Ryan Brandham, Naoki Tamura, Sterling, BoE Organizations: Federal Reserve, Financial Times, Wall, Traders, European Central Bank, Fed, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, Validus Risk Locations: North America

☆ Europe cuts interest rates again as economic recovery falters
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —The European Central Bank (ECB) cut interest rates Thursday, lowering borrowing costs for the second time in recent months as inflation slows and Europe’s economy stumbles. The ECB cut rates for the first time in five years in June, but kept them unchanged at its last meeting in July. However, it marginally downgraded the outlook for economic growth in the eurozone to 0.8%, from 0.9% projected in June. “Financing conditions remain restrictive, and economic activity is still subdued, reflecting weak private consumption and investment,” the ECB said. Earlier this week, former ECB chief Mario Draghi said in a report that slowing economic growth and productivity present an “existential challenge” to Europe.

Persons: Bert Colijn, Christine Lagarde’s, Mario Draghi, Draghi Organizations: London CNN, European Central Bank, ECB, Olympic, Paralympic Games, P Global, Hamburg Commercial Bank, “, ING Locations: Germany, Paris, Europe, United States, China, EU

☆ Dollar firm as inflation data douse bets for big Fed rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar traded near a four-week high versus the euro on Thursday after signs of some stickiness in U.S. inflation reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve would avoid a super-sized interest rate cut next week. The dollar traded near a four-week high versus the euro on Thursday after signs of some stickiness in U.S. inflation reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve would avoid a super-sized interest rate cut next week. Meanwhile, a quarter-point rate reduction from the European Central Bank is widely expected later on Thursday, with investors anxious for hints on how soon the monetary authority will cut again. Early on Wednesday, Bank of Japan board member Junko Nakagawa reinforced the central bank's tightening bias by saying low real rates leave room for further rate hikes. As a result, traders essentially priced out the chances of a 50-basis point rate cut on Sept. 18, paring the odds to 15% versus 85% probability for a 25-bp reduction.

Persons: Junko Nakagawa, Naoki Tamura, Tony Sycamore Organizations: Federal, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, IG, ECB, Sterling, Swiss Locations: U.S

The European Central Bank on Thursday delivered a quarter-point interest rate cut, marking its second reduction to the deposit rate this year. The widely anticipated move comes after a period of sluggish economic growth across the euro zone and cooling inflation, which fell back toward the central bank's 2% target in August. The ECB lowered its 2024 growth forecast to 0.8%, down slightly from an earlier projection of 0.9%, citing "weaker contribution from domestic demand over the next few quarters." For many market participants, the big question was not whether the ECB would cut rates in September — but whether the central bank will provide any clues as to what will follow. The ECB's meeting comes just days before the Federal Reserve appears poised to start its own rate-cutting cycle.

Organizations: European Central Bank, ECB, Federal

☆ Yen eyes 5-week high as focus turns to U.S. presidential debate, inflation
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Markets were also cautious ahead of the first debate between U.S. presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, with the candidates neck-and-neck ahead of the November election. The dollar was down 0.2% at 142.18 yen as of 0009 GMT, heading back towards the recent low of 141.75 yen, a level previously not seen since Aug. 5. The euro was little changed at $1.1019, after sliding to $1.10155 overnight for the first time since Aug. 19. Sterling was flat at $1.3080, following its drop to $1.3049 in the prior session, the weakest since Aug. 21. The stakes are particularly high considering the debate between Trump and President Joe Biden ultimately spurred the incumbent to drop out of the race.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Sterling, —, Kyle Rodda, Trump, Harris, Joe Biden Organizations: Federal Reserve, Capital.com, Republican, Democratic, Trump

☆ European Central Bank set to cut interest rates just days before the Fed's big decision
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Annette Weisbach | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, at the ECB And Its Watchers conference in Frankfurt, Germany, on March 20, 2024. Traders are widely anticipating an interest rate cut at the Federal Reserve's Sept. 17-18 meeting, as well as at the ECB's meeting this week. "The rate cut this Thursday should be largely uncontroversial," Holger Schmieding, the chief economist at Berenberg Bank, told CNBC in an email to clients. In July, the ECB left interest rates unchanged in a unanimous vote following June's landmark cut. The ECB's key interest rate — which helps to price all sorts of loans and mortgages across the bloc — is currently at 3.75% after years of aggressive hikes.

Persons: Christine Lagarde, Holger Schmieding, Joachim Nagel, Anatoli Annenkov, what's Organizations: European Central Bank, ECB, Bloomberg, Getty, FRANKFURT, U.S . Federal Reserve, Federal, Berenberg Bank, CNBC, ECB Council, —, Bank Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Société, Ljubljana, Slovenia

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