EUR/USD
1.18739
0.030%
Gold
5032.54
2.252%
Oil
62.595
-0.242%
USD/JPY
152.752
0.012%
GBP/USD
1.36557
0.249%
GBP/JPY
208.597
0.270%
Real-time News
February 15th - Nick Timiraos, a vocal advocate for the Federal Reserve, wrote that key indicators of the U.S. economy are pointing in the same positive direction: inflation is declining, the labor market remains strong, and economic growth is solid. This is not a definitive conclusion, but it represents the closest the U.S. economy has ever come to a soft landing (i.e., curbing inflation while avoiding a recession). Just four years ago, many economists thought this was impossible. Now, the scenario of the U.S. economy bringing inflation back to the Feds 2% target without falling into recession is once again credible. However, even without oxygen masks, its too early to unfasten the seatbelts. The Feds preferred inflation gauge, the core PCE annual rate, is currently close to 3%, and many forecasters expect little progress in inflation this year as tariff-related price increases spread further. Meanwhile, the labor market may not be as robust as last weeks report suggested. Payden & Rygels chief economist, Jeffrey Cleveland, stated that objectively speaking, the labor market has been weak, and the unemployment rate is more likely to rise than fall this year.February 15th - European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde stated during a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference on Sunday that current market developments indicate investors are interested in allocating more capital to Europe. Creating incentives for European investment is a better approach than using taxes to prevent capital outflows. Lagarde believes that US President Trumps disruptive trade policies serve as a "spur" for Europe to accelerate economic reforms. Beyond economic challenges, this has also brought European leaders closer together. She stated that the EUs €90 billion ($107 billion) support package for Ukraine demonstrates that the union can drive meaningful decision-making even if not all member states support an agreement.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio: The United States has taken note of reports from various countries assessing the poisoning of prominent Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny. The United States does not question this assessment, nor is there any reason to question it.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes that President Trumps aide Witkov and Trumps son-in-law Kushner are "at this moment" traveling to Iran for an important meeting on Iran.Slovak Prime Minister: Hopes to sign an agreement with Westinghouse Electric Company next year to lead the construction of a new nuclear power plant.
