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Real-time News
January 14th - According to a report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing home sales in the U.S. rose 5.1% month-over-month in December. On a monthly basis, home sales increased in all regions. On a year-over-year basis, sales increased in the South, remained flat in the Midwest and West, and declined in the Northeast. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun stated, "2025 will remain a challenging year for homebuyers, with record high home prices and historically low existing home sales. However, market conditions began to improve in the fourth quarter, with mortgage rates declining and home price growth slowing. After seasonal adjustment, December home sales reached their highest level in nearly three years, with widespread increases across all four major regions." The economist added, "Inventory levels remain tight. Homeowners are more cautious in deciding whether to list or withdraw their properties due to low seller willingness to sell. Similar to previous years, more homes are expected to enter the market starting in February."On January 14th, Federal Reserve Chairwoman Paulson reiterated on Wednesday that she expects the Fed to cut short-term interest rates later this year if the economy performs in line with her expectations of moderate inflation and a stable job market. In prepared remarks for a Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce event, Paulson stated, "My baseline expectations are rather modest," anticipating inflation to fall to around 2% by the end of the year, a stable job market, and economic growth remaining at around 2%. She noted, "If all of this happens, then some modest adjustments to the federal funds rate later this year might be appropriate." Regarding the job market, Paulson reiterated, "The labor market is clearly slowing, but it hasnt collapsed." She believes risks have increased, which is one of the key reasons she supported the FOMCs 75-basis-point rate cut last year.US business inventories rose 0.3% month-on-month in October, below the expected 0.2% and the previous reading of 0.20%.US existing home sales rose 5.1% month-over-month in December, below the expected 2.2% and the previous months figure revised up from 0.50% to 0.7%.Federal Reserves Paulson: The U.S. economy is not doing well in every aspect right now.

EU May Revise Green Objectives to Abandon Russian Energy

Charlie Brooks

Apr 11, 2022 09:36

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Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, the European Commission suggested that Europe reduce its reliance on Russian gas supplies by two-thirds this year and phase them out entirely by 2027.


In May, the Commission is expected to present a "Repower EU" proposal outlining how the union might phase out Russian fossil fuels.


"What we're going to do over the next few weeks is work on what I'm calling the Repower EU program, which includes accelerating the energy transition. Thus, in that framework, we may reconsider our objectives "Timmermans said this to journalists on a visit to Cairo.


Timmermans declined to provide specific numbers for potential revised standards, but said such an adjustment would result in a "greater proportion of renewable energy in 2030."


By 2030, the EU's current plans call for renewable energy to account for 40% of final consumption.


Egypt, which is hosting the COP27 climate conference in November and re-exports Israeli gas from LNG facilities on its Mediterranean coast, might assist the EU in diversifying its gas supplies, Timmermans said.


"If we can get more LNG in the area - and we'll have to wait and see how much Israel makes available - that would be a viable option," he added.


"At its heart, what I'm presenting is a long-term strategic collaboration that begins with LNG and swiftly expands to include renewable energy, particularly hydrogen," he continued.