A loss of independence at the U.S. Federal Reserve could raise political pressure on central banks all around the world and ?boost inflation for everyone, Bundesbank President ?Joachim Nagel said on Wednesday.
FS Bancorp, Inc. (FSBW), the holding company for 1st Security Bank of Washington announces the appointment of Matthew Mullet, Bank Chief Executive Officer, to the Seattle Branch Board of Directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
US existing home sales fell more than expected in January as the median price hit a new peak for the month amid low supply even as affordability improved, data from the National Association of Realtors showed Thursday. Sales slumped 8.4% sequentially to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.91 million units last month.
* Initial jobless claims decrease less than expected. * CPI data due on Friday. * $25 billion 30-year auction sees very strong demand. By Chuck Mikolajczak. U.S. Treasury yields were lower on Thursday, in the wake of data on the labor market that showed new applications for unemployment benefits decreased last week, ?extending declines after a robust auction of 30-year bonds.
The US Consumer Price Index is expected to rise by 0.3% in January for a second straight month, according to a survey compiled by Bloomberg, while the year-over-year rate is forecast to slow to 2.5% from 2.7%. The CPI data are scheduled to be released at 8:30 am ET Friday. The same survey looks for a 0.3% gain in core CPI, excluding the volatile food and energy components after 0.2% increase.
President Donald Trump claimed in an interview on Wednesday that Kevin Warsh can help deliver 15% GDP growth as Fed Chair, and expects him to cut rates dramatically. Not everyone is so confident. Evercore ISI analyst Krishna Guha describes Warsh as ?50% Alan Greenspan, 50% Stan Druckenmiller?; a pragmatic conservative who distinguishes between supply-driven and demand-driven inflation.
Financial stocks were decreasing in Thursday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index falling 2% and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF dropping 2.2%. The Philadelphia Housing Index was increasing 0.2%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF adding 0.4%. Bitcoin was declining 2% to $65,661, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was dropping 5.9 basis po...
Financial stocks were decreasing in Thursday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index falling 2% and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF dropping 2.2%. The Philadelphia Housing Index was increasing 0.2%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF adding 0.4%. Bitcoin was declining 2% to $65,661, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was dropping 5.9 basis po...
* US stocks down after opening higher. * Focus now on US inflation data on Friday. * Yen gains further on investor bets on fiscally responsible Takaichi. By Caroline Valetkevitch and Amanda Cooper. Major stock indexes fell on Thursday as technology shares slid and investors were cautious ahead ?of U.S. inflation data on Friday, while U.S. Treasury yields ?also declined.
* FTSE 100 down 0.7%, FTSE 250 down 0.4% * Schroders (SHNWF) surges after Nuveen buyout announcement. * UK GDP growth stagnates at 0.1% in Q4. * Unilever warns of weak 2026 sales growth ?in US, Europe.
* US job growth increases in January. * Trump, Netanyahu not yet at "definitive" Iran agreement. * Inflation data due on Friday. By Anjana Anil and Anushree Mukherjee. Gold prices fell to a near one-week low ?on Thursday as strong U.S. labour data dampened ?hopes of near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts, with a break below $5,000 an ounce deepening losses as selling pressure intensified.
German Bunds were little changed on Thursday on a quiet day for economic news from the eurozone, said Daiwa Capital Markets. The highlight of Friday's eurozone dataflow will be the updated estimates of Q4 gross domestic product, noted the bank. The second estimate will factor in additional data from December's available retail sales, production and goods trade figures.
* Central bank began an easing cycle in 2025. * Core inflation accelerated unexpectedly in January. * Governor says outlook can change abruptly. By Terje Solsvik. Norway's central bank is determined to bring consumer price inflation down to its 2% target, its governor said ?in a speech on Thursday, casting doubt on the prospect ?of further interest rate reductions.
* Scrutiny over investments in Israel. * Concerns of US retaliation against Norway. * Commission will deliver findings on ethical guidelines in October. By Gwladys Fouche. Norway's $2.2 trillion sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, faces conflicting expectations at home and ?abroad over responsible investments, the governor of the central ?bank said on Thursday.
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey?, showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.09%. ?Bolstered by strong economic growth, a solid labor market and mortgage rates at three-year lows, housing affordability continues to measurably improve.
* CEO Steve Cahillane pauses separation to focus on brand revival. * Analysts question decision, citing potential business instability. * Kraft Heinz (KHC) faces challenges from changing consumer tastes and competition. By Abigail Summerville and Juveria Tabassum. Feb 12 - Kraft Heinz's (KHC) new CEO Steve Cahillane was faced with a difficult choice.
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ?bbb-? of Himalayan Reinsurance Limited. The ratings reflect Himalayan Re?s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
Americans are shouldering almost all of President Donald Trump's import tax surge, a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said on Thursday. The bank said 90% of the tariffs imposed by the president on imported goods are borne by American consumers and companies.
* NY Fed report finds Americans pay almost all of Trump's tariffs. * Fed officials tie tariffs to inflation overshoot. * Tariff outlook uncertain amid court, legislative action. By Michael S. Derby. Americans are shouldering almost all of President Donald Trump's import tax surge, a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said on Thursday.
The statutory watchdog requirement that arrived with Proposition 39 has not delivered on its promise ? and the Legislature has authority to try something better.
Egypt's central bank Thursday said its Monetary Policy Committee decided to cut key policy rates by 100bps, as expected. The benchmark deposit rate is now 19.0%, while the lending rate is now 20.0%. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice.
* Initial jobless claims decrease less than expected. * CPI data due on Friday. * Logan, Miran set to speak on Thursday. By Chuck Mikolajczak. U.S. Treasury yields were lower on Thursday, in the wake of data on the labor market that showed new applications for unemployment benefits decreased ?less than expected last week.
* Indexes: Dow up 0.42%, S&P 500 up 0.21%, Nasdaq down 0.05% * Weekly jobless claims fell less than expected last week. * Personal computer makers dip after peer warns of memory shortage. * Cisco (CSCO) falls after Q2 adjusted margin misses estimates. By Twesha Dikshit and Purvi Agarwal.
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $14.30, according to analysts polled by FactSet. Price: 8.17, Change: -0.14, Percent Change: -1.68. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice.
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of ?aa-? of RGA Reinsurance Company, RGA Americas Reinsurance Company Ltd, RGA Life Reinsurance Company of Canada, Aurora National Life Assurance Company and RGA Life and Annuity Insurance Company.
U.S. existing home sales tumbled to the lowest level in more than two years in January as falling inventory raised house prices. Home sales dropped 8.4% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of ?3.91 million units, the lowest level since December 2023, ?the National Association of Realtors said on Thursday.
U.S. existing home sales tumbled to the lowest level in more than two years in January as falling inventory raised house prices. Home sales dropped 8.4% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of ?3.91 million units, the lowest level since December 2023, ?the National Association of Realtors said on Thursday.
Existing-home sales decreased by 8.4% in January, according to the National Association of REALTORS? Existing-Home Sales report. Month-over-month and year-over-year sales fell in all regions. ?The decrease in sales is disappointing. ?Due to low supply, the median home price reached a new high for the month of January,? Yun added.
The pace of US existing home sales fell by 8.4% to a 3.91 million seasonally adjusted annual rate in January from 4.27 million in December, compared with a smaller expected decrease to a 4.15 million rate in a survey compiled by Bloomberg, data from the National Association of Realtors released Thursday showed. Total sales were down 4.4% from a year earlier and were the lowest since December 2023.
The economic temperature for Canada will be "lukewarm" in 2026, but with a little more heat turned up by the end of the year, said TD. The bank anticipates 2026 will end with an economy 1.4% larger than 2025, which doesn't sound like much but would be an improved pace from last year's 0.8% pace. Greater government spending and ongoing household income gains support activity, stated TD.
AM Best has released newly updated tables of net capital charges associated with a representative sample of transactions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?s credit risk transfer programs?Freddie Mac?s Agency Credit Insurance Structure and Fannie Mae?s Credit Insurance Risk Transfer.
* US job growth increases in January. * Trump, Netanyahu not yet at "definitive" Iran agreement. * Inflation data due on Friday. By Anjana Anil. Gold prices eased on Thursday as strong U.S. labour data ?that dampened hopes of near-term Federal Reserve rate ?cuts offset safe-haven demand stirred by geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
State lawmakers introduced bills to eliminate sales tax exemptions and tax credits for data centers and mandate public disclosure of water and electricity use.
* Weekly jobless claims fall 5,000 to 227,000. * Continuing claims increase 21,000 to 1.862 million. * Existing home sales tumble 8.4% in January. By Lucia Mutikani.
Wall Street's main indexes inched higher ?on Thursday, ?a day after ?robust jobs growth ?and a dip ?in unemployment ?eased concerns around ?the U.S. ?economy, while investor attention turned to ?a ?slew ?of corporate earnings. The Dow Jones Industrial ?Average rose 48.9 ?points, or 0.10%, to 50,170.27 at the ?open.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL): * ROYAL CARIBBEAN GROUP ANNOUNCES PROPOSED OFFERING OF SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES Source text: Further company coverage:
Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) said Thursday it has launched a registered public offering of senior unsecured notes. The company said it intends to use net proceeds from the offering to refinance its senior notes maturing in 2026 and repay existing debt. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice.
AM Best has revised the outlook to stable from negative for the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of C and the Long-Term ICRs of ?ccc+? of United Equitable Insurance Company and American Heartland Insurance Company, which are referred to as United Equitable Insurance Group or UEIG.
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ?bbb+? of Colina Insurance Limited. The ratings reflect Colina?s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses at the strong level, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
US equity futures were up before Thursday's opening bell as traders digest jobless claims data and awaited the home sales report. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.4% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.4%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.5% higher.
By Jamie McGeever. What would need to happen for the Federal Reserve to raise U.S. interest rates? So the fact that the current market debate surrounds the number of expected rate cuts this year should give pause to investors and policymakers alike. The case for raising rates is every bit as strong right now as the ?case for putting cuts on hold and maintaining an easing bias.
Major brokerages, including Goldman Sachs (GS) and Morgan Stanley (MS), expect the U.S. Federal Reserve to deliver its next interest-rate cut in June, while ?J.P. Morgan sees the next move ?as a hike in 2027.
MIAMI, Feb. 12, 2026 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) today announced that it has commenced a registered public offering of senior unsecured notes. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to refinance its senior notes maturing in 2026 and any remaining net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness, which may include term loans.
Muni SMAs now hold an estimated $1.3 trillion in assets under management across around 180 managers, per J.P. Morgan. Meanwhile, ETF muni holdings are at $163.1 billion, up 22.4% year-over-year, as of the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest Federal Reserve data.
The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits decreased by less than expected last week, likely as disruptions from winter storms lingered. Initial ?claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 5,000 ?to a seasonally adjusted 227,000 for the week ended February 7, the Labor ?Department said on Thursday.
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp (FMCC) : * FREDDIE MAC ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2025 FINANCIAL RESULTS Source text: Further company coverage:
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.
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