The war in Iran has clouded
the outlook for France's economy, with the impact depending on
how long the conflict lasts and how high energy prices rise, the
French central bank said on Wednesday.
* Fed saw narrow loss on operations in 2025. * Smaller interest expenses lower level of loss. * Experts see long path to cover losses related to pandemic era policy. By Michael S. Derby. The U.S. Federal Reserve reported a much narrower loss last year in an audited financial statement released on Wednesday, as its balance sheet contracted and it benefitted from a drop in interest expenses.
The U.S. Federal Reserve reported a much narrower loss last year in an audited financial statement released on Wednesday, as its balance sheet contracted and it benefitted from a drop in interest expenses. The Fed said that its total comprehensive loss for the full year of 2025 stood at $19.6 billion, compared with losses of $77.5 billion in 2024 and $114.6 billion in 2023.
* Volatility and Iran war delay investments, Dallas Fed reports. * Smaller E&P firms plan to increase drilling wells, larger firms cautious. * U.S. shale firms expect WTI crude to average $74 a barrel by year-end 2026. By Siddharth Cavale.
U.S. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren on Wednesday pressed top Federal Reserve official and former veteran Wall Street bank attorney Randall Guynn to explain how he is handling potential conflicts of interest in his new role, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters.
The U.S. current account deficit narrowed sharply in the fourth quarter, hitting the lowest level in nearly five years, amid a rise in primary income and a reduction in the goods trade deficit partly because of tariffs on imports.
The interest rate on the most popular U.S. home loan surged by the most in 11 months last week to the highest since October as rising oil prices from the war in Iran fanned inflation fears, forcing up yields on the Treasury bonds most influential to mortgage rates.
Uniform retailer Cintas (CTAS) raised its annual forecasts for revenue and profit on Wednesday, betting on resilient demand for its workplace essentials and facility services. The company also beat Wall Street estimates for third-quarter revenue, benefiting from employment growth in key U.S. industries such as healthcare, social assistance and construction.
Brazil's government has issued an executive order establishing 15 billion reais in credit lines managed by state development bank BNDES to support companies hit by geopolitical instability, it said on Wednesday. * The package is aimed at exporters and companies considered strategic to Brazil's trade balance, the government says.
* BANK OF CANADA SAYS IT RESUMES MARKET OPERATIONS; WILL PROCEED WITH ITS REGULAR SCHEDULE FOR MARKET OPERATIONS, INCLUDING TODAY'S AM AUCTION OF RECEIVER GENERAL BALANCES.
By Jamie McGeever. Markets overshoot, and the dramatic surge in bets on higher interest rates in light of the Middle East energy shock is the latest case in point: the move may be logical, but its magnitude is questionable. As the dust settles on one of the busiest central bank weeks in years, the Iran war shows no sign of ending and markets remain in flux.
Chile's central bank reduced its growth expectations for the country's economy in 2026 while its inflation forecast increased amid pressures from rising global fuel prices.
Chile's gross domestic product is expected to grow between 1.5% and 2.5% this year, the central bank said on Wednesday, reducing its forecast from a previous range of 2% to 3%. The bank also raised its forecast for inflation in 2026 to 3.6% from a previous 2.9%, amid pressures from rising global fuel prices.
U.S. corporate finance chiefs' outlook for the economy improved over the first months of the year, at least until the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, with executives expecting to increase employment amid solid revenue growth, though with continued pressure as well to raise prices, according to a Federal Reserve survey.
U.S. corporate finance chiefs' outlook for the economy improved over the first months of the year, at least until the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, with executives expecting to increase employment amid solid revenue growth, though with continued pressure as well to raise prices, according to a Federal Reserve survey.
* Lagarde says inaction may be hard to communicate. * Lane flags selling prices, wages as key. * Investors expect multiple ECB rate hikes this year. * Mounting signs that Iran crisis is hurting the economy. * Rehn says ECB should look beyond oil prices. By Balazs Koranyi and Francesco Canepa.
On Holding (ONON) said on Wednesday co-founders David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti will take over as co-CEOs from May 1, as Martin Hoffmann steps down after guiding the upstart Swiss sportswear brand through a blockbuster public listing. The change at the helm comes when the 15-year-old company is navigating a shifting tariff landscape and soft consumer sentiment in the U.S., its largest market.
* Iran's military rejects Trump's talk of negotiation. * Oil prices drop, dollar eases. * Gold rebounds after touching 4-month low on Monday. By Noel John.
* US proposes plan to end war in Iran. * Oil prices drop on prospect of Middle East ceasefire. * US dollar edges down 0.2% By Noel John. Gold rose more than 2% on Wednesday, buoyed by a softer dollar, while a drop in oil prices eased concerns about elevated inflation and higher global interest rates, amid reports of a U.S. plan to end the Middle East war.
Gold rose more than 2% on Wednesday, buoyed by a softer dollar, while a drop in oil prices eased concerns about elevated inflation and higher global interest rates, amid reports of a U.S. plan to end ...
* Goolsbee cites energy prices as inflation risk. * Fed held rates steady, but future cuts uncertain. * Oil prices surge due to Iran conflict, impacting inflation.
The U.S. Federal Reserve may need to keep interest rates steady "for some time" before further cuts are warranted, Fed Governor Michael Barr said on Tuesday, noting continued inflation above the Fed's 2% target and the risks posed by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The job market "appears to be stabilizing," Barr said in remarks prepared for delivery to a community development conference.
The U.S. Federal Reserve may need to keep interest rates steady "for some time" before further cuts are warranted, Fed Governor Michael Barr said on Tuesday, noting continued inflation above the Fed's 2% target and the risks posed by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The job market "appears to be stabilizing," Barr said in remarks prepared for delivery to a community development conference.
* Oil prices surge amid Strait of Hormuz shipment disruptions. * U.S. Treasury yields increase, dollar strengthens. * Euro zone growth stalls due to inflation and war impact. By Caroline Valetkevitch and Amanda Cooper.
Chile's central bank on Tuesday held its benchmark interest rate at 4.5% in a unanimous decision, in line with expectations, as inflation remains within the bank's target range but the war in the Middle East raises oil prices and inflation expectations.
Chile's central bank on Tuesday held its benchmark interest rate at 4.5% in a unanimous decision, in line with expectations, as inflation remains within the bank's target range but the war in the Middle East raises oil prices and inflation expectations.
* BANK OF CANADA SAYS IT IS EXPERIENCING AN INTERNAL COMPUTER SYSTEMS ISSUE; CALL FOR TENDERS FOR WEDNESDAY AUCTION OF RECEIVER GENERAL BALANCES HAS BEEN DELAYED. * BANK OF CANADA SAYS OTHER MARKET OPERATIONS MAY BE AFFECTED. * BOC: WHILE THE ISSUE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AND RECOVERY IS UNDERWAY, WE DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A TIMELINE FOR WHEN IT WILL BE COMPLETELY RESOLVED.
* Investors watch oil prices, interest rates, Iran headlines. * Jefferies gains on report Japan's SMFG plans possible takeover. * Barclays raises year-end target for S&P 500 to 7,650 from 7,400. * Ares Management (ARES), Apollo Global limit redemptions at funds. By Sin?ad Carew and Purvi Agarwal.
* Pakistan offers to host peace talks to end war on Iran. * Spot gold down over 21% from record peak hit in January. * Platinum edges 1% higher. By Ashitha Shivaprasad. Gold prices extended their decline on Tuesday, weighed down by persistent Middle East tensions that fanned worries of inflation and expectations of higher interest rates globally.
* Two-year yield spikes on soft auction, last at 3.944% * Yields higher as Iran war persists. * 10-year yield last up to 4.419% By Matt Tracy. U.S. Treasury yields rose on Tuesday after an auction of two-year notes met underwhelming demand, as market uncertainty persists around the Iran war and elevated oil prices.
Schweizerische Nationalbank : * SNB CHAIRMAN: POLICY INTEREST RATE IS MAIN TOOL, BUT THERE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE FOREX INTERVENTIONS ARE MORE SUITABLE. * SNB CHAIRMAN: NEGATIVE INTEREST RATES WORKED IN THE PAST, BUT THEY HAD NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS. * SNB CHAIRMAN: WE ARE PREPARED TO INTRODUCE NEGATIVE RATES, BUT THE HURDLE TO LOWER RATES INTO NEGATIVE AREA IS HIGHER.
Brazil's central bank said it is going to offer up to $1 billion in a dollar auction with repurchase agreement later on Tuesday. In a statement, the central bank said the auction will start at 2 p.m. local time.
* Oil prices surge amid Strait of Hormuz shipment disruptions. * U.S. Treasury yields increase, dollar strengthens. * Euro zone growth stalls due to inflation and war impact. By Caroline Valetkevitch. Major global stock indexes were mixed on Tuesday as oil prices extended recent sharp gains and worries persisted over how long the Israeli-U.S. war on Iran will go on.
The Iran war is already taking a toll on major economies around the world, according to business surveys on Tuesday which showed how a surge in energy prices and rising uncertainty were dampening activity and pushing inflation expectations higher.
* US, euro zone, UK and Japan PMIs all suffer. * Inflation expectations rise, activity dampened. * Some talk of stagflation, but too early to judge. By Balazs Koranyi and Lucia Mutikani.
* Yields higher as Iran war persists. * 10-year yield last up to 4.403% * Treasury to auction $69 billion in two-year notes. By Matt Tracy. U.S. Treasury yields inched higher on Tuesday morning as optimism over a quick easing of the Middle East crisis faded, renewing concerns about inflation risks.
The Bank of France has booked one-off capital gains of nearly 13 billion euros from an upgrade of its gold reserves since last July as it benefited from high gold prices, the central bank said on Tuesday. Over the past two decades, the bank has been gradually replacing older or non-standard gold holdings with bars that meet modern international standards.
* S&P Global survey shows decline in private-sector employment. * Flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index falls to 51.4. * Oil prices surge over 30% due to U.S.-Iran conflict. By Lucia Mutikani.
* Iran launches missiles into Israel. * Spot gold down 22% from record peak hit in January. * Palladium down nearly 3% By Ashitha Shivaprasad. Gold prices extended their decline on Tuesday, weighed down by persistent Middle East tensions that fanned worries of inflation and expectations of higher interest rates globally.
The Iran war, now in its fourth week, is creating a major crisis in energy supplies that is impacting every corner of the global economy. Here are some economies to watch. THE G7. Look first to Europe. Inflation is set to jump again and traders are betting the European Central Bank and the Bank of England may have to raise interest rates this year.
Mexico's annual inflation rate accelerated in the first half of March to levels not seen since late 2024, official data showed on Tuesday, backing expectations that the central bank will keep its interest rate unchanged at its meeting this week. Consumer prices also rose 0.62% during the first half of March from the same period of February, exceeding the forecast of a 0.37% increase.
* G7 economies face energy shock, inflation risks. * Emerging economies hit by oil price surge, remittance issues. * Gulf region impacted directly, may see economic contraction this year. By Yoruk Bahceli and Marc Jones. The Iran war, now in its fourth week, is creating a major crisis in energy supplies that is impacting every corner of the global economy. Here are some economies to watch. THE G7.
The Iran war, now in its fourth week, is creating a major crisis in energy supplies that is impacting every corner of the global economy. Here are some economies to watch. THE G7. Look first to Europe. Inflation is set to jump again and traders are betting the European Central Bank and the Bank of England may have to raise interest rates this year.
Brazil's central bank said on Tuesday that the magnitude and duration of its interest rate calibration will be determined over time, as new data feed into its assessments, after it delivered a 25-basis-point cut to 14.75% last week.
* Preliminary composite PMI 51.0 vs 53.7 in February. * PMI comes in below all forecasts in Reuters poll. * Manufacturers' input costs leap by most since 1992. * First survey to show extent of impact from war. * Reeves to speak to parliament later on Tuesday. By David Milliken and William Schomberg.
* PMI tumbles to 10-month low on fallout from war. * Price, delivery times take huge hits. * Germany holds up better than France. * Consumer confidence also hit. By Jonathan Cable and Balazs Koranyi.
Euro zone private sector growth nearly stalled this month as inflation expectations surged and delivery times soared, adding to mounting evidence that the bloc is already suffering a tangible drag from the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran.
Euro zone private sector growth slowed sharply in March as the Middle East war drove input costs to their highest in more than three years and triggered the worst supply chain disruptions since mid-2022, a survey showed on Tuesday.
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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