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According to The Information: A U.S. government framework requires AI labs to share models up to 90 days before their release; the government may sign an executive order as early as Thursday to establish the framework.On May 21, the minutes of the Federal Reserve meeting revealed that regarding the outlook for monetary policy, participants generally agreed that persistently high inflation and uncertainty surrounding the duration and economic impact of the Middle East conflict might necessitate maintaining the current policy stance for a longer period than expected. Some participants emphasized that a reduction in the target range for the federal funds rate might be appropriate once clear signs emerge that the downward trend in inflation has steadily resumed, or signs of further weakness in the labor market appear. However, most participants noted that if inflation persists above 2%, some tightening measures might be necessary. To address this scenario, many participants expressed a desire to remove language from the post-meeting statement that suggested a possible shift towards easing in future interest rate decisions. Participants pointed out that monetary policy is not static, and future policy decisions will depend on the specific circumstances of each meeting.On May 21, the minutes of the Federal Reserve meeting revealed that participants expected high energy prices to continue to exert upward pressure on overall inflation in the near term. Participants generally anticipated that the impact of tariffs on core goods inflation would gradually diminish throughout the year. However, some participants noted that tariff rates could potentially rise further above current levels, leading to greater upward pressure on inflation. Some participants emphasized that after several consecutive years of inflation exceeding 2%, high inflation could have a greater impact on wage and price-setting decisions. Almost all participants noted that the Middle East conflict could persist for a long time, or even after the conflict ends, oil and other commodity prices could remain high for longer than expected. In this scenario, participants expected that supply chain disruptions, high energy prices, or the passing on of rising input costs to other prices would continue to push up inflation. The vast majority of participants indicated that the risk of inflation returning to the Committees 2% target level might be increased, potentially taking longer than previously anticipated.On May 21, Federal Reserve staff maintained that the uncertainty surrounding forecasts remained high, given the potential economic consequences of the Middle East conflict and the application of artificial intelligence. Overall, the risks to employment and real GDP growth forecasts were considered skewed to the downside. Risks to inflation forecasts were considered skewed to the upside: inflation had been well above 2% for the past five years, the Middle East conflict could lead to further inflationary pressures, and upward price pressures were emerging in some categories that appeared unrelated to tariffs or energy prices. Therefore, staff believed that inflation could persist longer than expected, a significant risk.May 21 - Federal Reserve meeting minutes revealed that staffs inflation forecasts for this year are higher than those from the March meeting, reflecting the latest data, rising energy prices, and other impacts of the Middle East conflict, factors expected to push up consumer price inflation. Inflation is expected to slow after the first half of this year as the economic impacts of various conflict-related factors gradually subside and the transmission of tariff increases to inflation weakens; by the end of next year, the inflation rate is projected to be close to 2%.

Oil Prices Rise on Expectations of A Tighter Supply As Demand Increases

Aria Thomas

May 25, 2022 09:21

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Oil prices surged in early trade on Wednesday, bolstered by limited supplies and the expectation of increased demand as the U.S. summer driving season begins.


At 00:20 GMT, Brent crude futures for July increased 46 cents, or 0.4%, to $114.02 a barrel. Futures for U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for delivery in July rose 58 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $110.35 per barrel.


Brent increased by 0.1% on Tuesday, while WTI declined by 52 cents.


France's new foreign minister expressed optimism on Tuesday that those remaining opposed to a new EU sanctions package that would phase out Russian oil shipments to the bloc might be persuaded and that the bloc would reach an agreement that would have the impact of constraining global supply.


Meanwhile, a Biden administration official departed for India on Tuesday to discuss U.S. sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine with Indian officials and private industry executives, according to the Treasury Department, as Washington seeks to prevent an increase in India's purchases of Russian oil. Moscow refers to its efforts in Ukraine as an "extraordinary military operation."


Supply might tighten just as Memorial Day weekend travel in the United States is anticipated to be the busiest in two years, as more Americans hit the road despite coronavirus pandemic restrictions and high fuel prices.


While oil stocks increased by 567,000 barrels last week, gasoline inventories decreased by 4.2 million barrels, according to market sources citing the American Petroleum Institute. Additionally, distillate stockpiles decreased by 949,000 barrels. 


On Wednesday, the U.S. government was due to release stockpile data. In a Reuters survey, analysts predicted that U.S. crude oil and gasoline inventories would fall last week, but distillate inventories would rise. 


In China, Beijing intensified quarantine efforts to stop its month-long COVID outbreak, while in Shanghai, officials aim to maintain the majority of restrictions in place this month, prior to a more comprehensive easing of the two-month-long lockdown on June 1.