ECB's Makhlouf warns uncertainty will persist even if trade war passes

BY Reuters | ECONOMIC | 05/13/25 04:37 AM EDT

DUBLIN, May 13 (Reuters) - Uncertainty in the global economy is likely to persist even if a global trade war proves short-lived, European Central Bank governing council member Gabriel Makhlouf said in a speech on Tuesday.

"Even if a full-blown trade war turns out to be short-lived, the uncertainty effects will persist for some time," said Makhlouf, the governor of the Irish Central Bank.

"Amplification risks from elevated public and private debt levels, and how these might ripple through the financial system, are a further downside risk." (Writing by Conor Humphries; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)

In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.

Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.

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