Europe News Bulgaria can’t adopt the euro due to high inflation, ECB says Sofia had expressed hopes it could join the EU currency zone in the middle of next year, but must meet tough economic criteria. 26/06/2024
Markets How could French elections impact European sovereign debt market? European financial markets brace for turbulence as the French parliamentary elections approach. ABN Amro's rates strategist Sonia Renoult warns of potential fiscal instability and an unsustainable debt path for France. 25/06/2024
Economy BoE rate decision: No change despite latest drop in inflation The Bank of England has left the interest rate on hold, even though inflation has now fallen to its target level of 2%. 19/06/2024
Markets London regains markets crown as France dips amid political uncertainty The FTSE 100 wins out to become Europe's biggest equity market once more as sell-offs due to French political uncertainty lead to heavy losses in France. 17/06/2024
Markets Fed rate decision: European stock markets recoup most of earlier falls European stock markets recoup most of their losses from earlier in the week following the release of US CPI data. Regional markets opened lower despite the Fed’s rate decision propelling Wall Street to all-time highs overnight. 13/06/2024
Markets Euro slumps after Macron calls election and far-right surge in Europe The euro slumps against most of its G-10 currency counterparts as the French President called a snap election, and the far right gained seats in the European Parliament 10/06/2024
Markets Weekly market recap: Record moment resumes as tech stocks lead the way Risk-on sentiment prevailed in global markets as the Nvidia-led tech rally buoyed Wall Street, while the ECB’s rate cut sent the Euro Stoxx 600 to an all-time high. 07/06/2024
Economy ECB delivers a “hawkish” rate cut, Lagarde stresses data dependency The ECB reduced interest rates by 25 basis points, signalling a moderation in monetary policy restrictions. However, Frankfurt also issued an upward revision to its inflation projections, now expecting headline inflation to average 2.5% in 2024 and 2.2% in 2025. 06/06/2024
Economy ECB expected to cut interest rates: What you need to know The European Central Bank is expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points at its meeting this afternoon, reducing the main refinancing rate to 4.25%, the marginal lending rate to 4.50%, and the deposit rate to 3.75%. 04/06/2024
Economy German inflation rises as consumer confidence hits 2-year high Germany's annual inflation rose to 2.4% in May, matching forecasts, while the core rate held at 3.0%. Consumer sentiment improved to an over 2-year high as market watchers anticipate an ECB interest rate cut in June. 29/05/2024
Economy Fresh hint that ECB might be set to cut interest rates at June meeting Eurozone inflation has dropped from above 10% at its 2022 peak to a near three-year low of 2.4% in April. Forecasts see a rise to 2.5% when May's data comes out later this week. 27/05/2024
Markets Ahead in the market: All eyes remain focused on inflation This week, investors will focus on inflation data from the major Eurozone economies, seeking clues about the interest rate path of the European Central Bank (ECB). 27/05/2024
Business Union reps call for ECB national quota-based employment process Union representatives have called on the European Central Bank to open a national quota-based employment process after an Irish member of the ECB’s executive board urged Dublin to preserve his country’s outsized presence among the bank’s staff. 20/05/2024
Economy ECB signals a ‘plausible’ June rate cut as European equities surge The latest minutes from the European Central Bank meeting indicated a rising chance for easing monetary policy in June. While a majority support maintaining current rates, a few members already advocated for immediate cuts in April. 10/05/2024
Business Ahead in the Markets: The BoE's rate decision, UBS, and ARM earnings This week, all eyes will be on the Bank of England's (BoE) rate decision, along with the release of quarterly earnings reports from major companies including UBS and BP. These events will provide crucial insights into the market trajectory and investor sentiment. 06/05/2024
Economy Eurozone growth tops estimates as April inflation holds steady at 2.6% Eurozone economy grew by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2024, beating expectations and marking the strongest growth since Q3 2022. Annual inflation remained stable at 2.4%, while core inflation slowed to 2.7%, likely clearing the path towards the first ECB rate cut in June. 30/04/2024
Economy Low-income Europeans facing hard times over housing cost struggle ECB research shows that more than one-fourth of low-income households expect late payments on their mortgages in the coming months. 22/04/2024
Europe News ECB queries Apple’s promise to open up iPhone payments Central bankers say pro-competition reforms still wouldn’t ensure seamless service for their new digital euro. 22/04/2024
Economy Could oil price surge derail the ECB's plans for a rate cut in June? Latest developments in the Middle East raise concerns about a potential broader conflict and its global economic ramifications. Key worries for Europe include whether escalating energy prices might influence the European Central Bank's (ECB) decision-making regarding a planned rate cut in June. 19/04/2024
Economy ECB's Lagarde highlights private capital need for innovation in Europe At a Council on Foreign Relations meeting on Wednesday, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde stressed the importance of private investments in catalysing Europe's green transition and fostering innovation. 18/04/2024