European defence spending set to increase materially but don’t expect an economic miracle The Commission’s plan to ‘rearm’ Europe and to unlock extra defence spending largely hangs on evoking the national escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) again, which according to the plan could...
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/rearming-the-european-market-outlook/
A Federal Reserve Bank of New York official who manages the implementation of monetary policy indicated Wednesday the central bank has room to further shrink its balance sheet, while noting government financial management issues will create challenges for the process over the short run. Market...
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/ny-feds-perli-says-market-liquidity-levels-remain-abundant-2/
The Bank of Japan can raise interest rates at a pace in line with dominant views among financial markets and economists, its Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida said, keeping alive expectations that there is a chance of a near-term increase in borrowing costs. While he declined to say how soon the BOJ...
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/boj-vows-to-keep-raising-rates-despite-trump-tariff-risks/
British services firms in February cut staff at the fastest pace since 2020 ahead of tax and minimum-wage hikes that come into effect next month, an industry survey showed on Wednesday. The preliminary reading of the UK S&P Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for this month rose marginally...
China’s lenders are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Earnings are under pressure, but the government wants them to step up lending and drive growth. The dilemma is most stark at the $70 billion Bank of Communications 601328, 601328. Beijing on Wednesday unveiled plans to deploy 500 billion...
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/chinas-bank-recap-exposes-lenders-dilemma/
Growth in India’s services sector accelerated in February, supported by robust demand and a firm business outlook that led to a substantial increase in hiring, a survey showed. Asia’s third-largest economy expanded 6.2% year-over-year last quarter, lifted by government and consumer spending. The...
Mexico’s government may look for other trade partners besides the U.S., the nation’s president said on Wednesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on the U.S.’ southern neighbor. President Claudia Sheinbaum said that Mexico could shift trade alliances “if necessary,” referring to...
The smallest U.S. businesses shed jobs in February and average revenue fell, a sign of pressure in one vulnerable sector of the economy that preceded the Trump administration’s announcement of sweeping new import taxes that could make the outlook even cloudier. An index developed by software firm...
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-small-businesses-cut-jobs-in-february-intuit-data-show/
Euro zone inflation prospects improved while growth remained anaemic, fresh data showed on Friday, solidifying the case for further ECB rate cuts to stimulate an economy that has been stagnant for nearly two years. Borrowing costs have already tumbled but the 20-nation currency bloc is stuck in low...
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/softer-inflation-weak-growth-bolster-case-for-ecb-rate-cuts/
China: Two Sessions to set this year’s growth target and policy priorities Next week’s main event is China’s Two Sessions meeting. Markets will pay close attention to the Government Work Report, to be delivered by Premier Li Qiang on 5 March. It will announce China’s 2025 growth target and detail...
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/asia-week-ahead-chinas-two-sessions-grabs-the-spotlight/