The dollar firmed on Friday and was set for its largest weekly gain in more than two months, as rising energy prices and prolonged disruptions to shipping stoked inflationary pressures, boosting bets on a Federal Reserve rate hike this year.
* Dollar up more than 1% this week, sharpest increase since early March. * Trump-Xi summit enters second day as investors await more details. * Yen struggles at 158 level; sterling weighed down by UK political turmoil. By Rae Wee.
* Fed's Barr says misguided to ease bank liquidity rules to lower Fed holdings. * Barr says efforts to cut Fed balance sheet via rule changes could increase risk. * Barr says current Fed policy system has worked well. By Michael S. Derby.
Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr said Thursday that lowering banks' liquidity rules to reduce the size of the central bank's balance sheet is a bad idea and could undermine the safety of the financial system.
The U.S. long bond has been in the spotlight recently, with the 30-year Treasury yield piercing 5% and nearing its highest level in two decades. The rise in long-dated yields - Wednesday's 30-year auction sold above 5% for the first time since 2007 - has grabbed headlines, but yields at the front end have actually spiked by even more.
Peru's central bank held its benchmark interest rate for the eighth straight time on Thursday, keeping it at 4.25% in line with analysts' expectations after inflation in April remained outside the bank's target range.
Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr said Thursday that lowering liquidity rules to get the central bank's balance sheet smaller is a bad idea and could undermine the safety of the financial system.
* Fed's Barr says misguided to ease bank liquidity rules to lower Fed holdings. * Barr says efforts to cut Fed balance sheet via rule changes could increase risk. * Barr says current Fed policy system has worked well. By Michael S. Derby.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said on Thursday he does not see a need right now for the central bank to weigh any change in interest rate policy amid the uncertainty created by the Middle East war. Monetary policy is in a "good place" right now, the official said in remarks given in New York.
Coupang Inc (CPNG): * Coupang Inc (CPNG): U.S. SENATE CONFIRMED KEVIN WARSH AS FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIR AND HE RESIGNED AS A DIRECTOR OF CO EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY - SEC FILING. * Coupang Inc (CPNG) - BOARD TO REDUCE SIZE BY ONE DIRECTOR AFTER WARSH RESIGNATION - SEC FILING Source text: Further company coverage:
U.S. Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran on Thursday said he would resign his seat on or shortly before Kevin Warsh is sworn in as the Fed's next chair, a necessary step since there is no other open seat on the seven-member board for Warsh to fill and Miran's term had technically expired in January.
Appalachian Power Recovery Funding LLC: * APPALACHIAN POWER RECOVERY FUNDING FILES PRELIMINARY TERM SHEET FOR $1.38 BILLION SERIES 2026-A SENIOR SECURED SAC BONDS - SEC FILING Source text: Further company coverage:
Telecom Italia SpA: * FITCH UPGRADES TELECOM ITALIA TO 'BB+'; STABLE OUTLOOK. * FITCH: UPGRADE REFLECTS STRONGER CASH FLOW GENERATION, STABILISING LEVERAGE AFTER DISPOSAL OF TIM'S FIXED LOCAL ACCESS NETWORK & OTHER NON-CORE ASSETS. * FITCH ON TELECOM ITALIA: STABLE OUTLOOK REFLECTS EXPECTATIONS THAT CASH FLOW & LEVERAGE WILL REMAIN WITHIN OUR 'BB+' RATING SENSITIVITIES.
U.S. retail sales increased solidly for a third straight month in April, though part of the rise in receipts was due to a sharp rise in inflation since the start of the U.S.-backed war with Iran. Rising price pressures were underscored by other data on Thursday showing imported inflation last month rose at its fastest pace in four years.
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Beth Hammack reiterated on Thursday that a wide range of evidence supports the idea that an independent central bank makes policy more effectively.
* IMF welcomes engagement between world's two largest economies. * IMF says Middle East war pushing global economy into lower growth scenario. * Fund continues to discuss potential assistance to countries struggling with high energy prices. By David Lawder and Andrea Shalal.
* Investors monitor US-Iran tensions, Trump's China visit. * ECB rate hikes expected as oil prices fuel inflation fears. * Fed rate cut bets recede. By Samuel Indyk. Germany's 10-year government bond yield fell on Thursday but remained close to its recent multi-year peak as elevated energy prices solidified expectations for higher inflation and European Central Bank rate hikes.
* Retail sales increase 0.5% in April, in line with expectations. * Core retail sales up 0.5%, marking fourth straight monthly gain. * Weekly jobless claims climb 12,000 to 211,000. * Import prices jump 1.9% in April; up 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. By Lucia Mutikani.
Angola's central bank cut its benchmark lending rate by 50 basis points to 17% in a decision announced on Thursday. Inflation in the Southern African oil-producing country eased to 11.58% year-on-year in April, down from 12.42% in March. The central bank wants to bring inflation down to single digits.
Inflation is the biggest risk to a U.S. economy that has shown "remarkable resilience" in the face of numerous challenges, and the job market is stable, Kansas City Federal Reserve President Jeffrey Schmid said on Thursday. "I see continued inflation as the most pressing risk to the economy," Schmid said in prepared remarks to a banking industry conference hosted by the Kansas City Fed.
* Treasury yields retreat as oil prices drop and technical support attracts buyers. * Inflation concerns persist after strong U.S. producer price data and Middle East conflict. * Retail sales rise, jobless claims steady, Xi warns Trump on Taiwan tensions. By Karen Brettell.
Top brokerages expect the benchmark S&P 500 index to extend its rally in 2026, even as Middle East tensions disrupt global energy flows and drive inflation higher. Strategists at major investment banks expect momentum in artificial intelligence and strong corporate earnings to offset the conflict's short-term economic impact. Morgan Stanley became the latest brokerage to raise its index target.
The number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits increased moderately last week, pointing to a stable labor market even as rising energy prices from the war with Iran drive up inflation. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 211,000 for the week ended May 9, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
The number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits increased moderately last week, pointing to a stable labor market even as rising energy prices from the war with Iran drive up inflation. The government reported on Wednesday that producer prices recorded their biggest increase in four years in April.
* White House weighs gas tax suspension as fuel prices surge, options dwindle. * Polls show most Americans feel financial strain, many doubt war is worth the cost. * Some Republicans back gas tax suspension, but party leaders are so far noncommittal. By Jarrett Renshaw, Nandita Bose and Jacob Bogage.
U.S. retail sales increased solidly for a third straight month in April, though part of the rise in receipts was due to a sharp rise in inflation since the start of the U.S.-backed war with Iran. Rising price pressures were underscored by other data on Thursday showing imported inflation last month rose at its fastest pace in four years.
U.S. retail sales increased further in April, but some of the rise in receipts was likely due to higher inflation as the war with Iran boosted prices of energy products and other commodities. The U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran is driving up inflation. Gasoline prices rose 12.3% in April, data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday that the U.S. may see one or two "hot" inflation data readings before disinflation resumes, and new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh will keep an open mind about inflation as energy prices subside.
* White House weighs gas tax suspension as fuel prices surge, options dwindle. * Polls show most Americans feel financial strain, many doubt war is worth the cost. * Some Republicans back gas tax suspension, but party leaders are so far noncommittal. By Jarrett Renshaw, Nandita Bose and Jacob Bogage.
* Markets monitor Trump-Xi meeting, Iran war in focus. * U.S. Producer Price Index posts largest gain in four years. * HSBC raises 2026 silver price forecast to $75/oz. By Noel John.
* April new yuan loans shrink for first time in nine months. * Outstanding loan growth hits record low. * Q1 GDP growth picks up, but Iran war clouds outlook. * PBOC seen with limited room to ease as inflation pressures build. By Shi Bu and Kevin Yao.
* Trump to discuss Iran with Xi in U.S.-China summit. * U.S. Producer Price Index posts largest gain in four years. * U.S. Senate approves Kevin Warsh as Fed chair. By Pablo Sinha. Gold prices ticked up on Thursday, as investors focused on talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, looking for signs of a resolution to the Iran war.
* GDP rises 0.3% in March against forecast of 0.2% drop. * Data caps another conspicuously strong Q1 outturn. * Economists question seasonality issues. * Stockpiling may also have brought forward demand. * Trade data shows surge in fuel imports. By Andy Bruce and Suban Abdulla.
Germany's 10-year bond yield was slightly lower on Thursday but remained close to its recent multi-year peak as higher energy prices solidified expectations for faster inflation and rate hikes from the European Central Bank. Expectations for a lasting peace deal between the U.S. and Iran have faded this week, keeping the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to maritime traffic.
Japan's Nikkei share average hit a record high on Thursday before falling into negative territory as concerns about inflation and rising interest rates overwhelmed enthusiasm over technology stocks. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index fell 1% to close at 62,654.05 after touching an unprecedented 63,799.32 earlier in the session.
* Dollar supported by rising U.S. Treasury yields and Fed rate hike expectations. * Trump-Xi summit focuses on trade progress, Taiwan tensions highlighted by Xi. * U.S. inflation data boosts rate hike bets, Fed Chair Warsh seen tightening policy. By Rae Wee and Amanda Cooper.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Thursday that "safe, unimpeded maritime flows" through international waters, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, are vital for global economic well-being.
* Trump to discuss Iran with Xi in U.S.-China summit. * U.S. Producer Price Index posts largest gain in four years. * U.S. Senate approves Kevin Warsh as Fed chair. By Pablo Sinha. Gold prices were steady on Thursday, as investors focused on talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and looked for signs of progress in the Iran war.
Britain's economy expanded. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a 0.2% month-on-month contraction in gross domestic product during March. For the first quarter as a whole, the economy grew by 0.6%, the Office for National Statistics said, matching expectations.
French President Emmanuel Macron faces a test next week when lawmakers decide whether to approve his former chief of staff to run the central bank, a nomination some critics say is part of a campaign to protect key institutions from a possible far-right election win in 2027.
Sitting out the oil shock may not be enough. Year-end crude oil futures are near their highest level of the Iran war so far, and with little sign of a durable peace deal. Annual consumer price inflation is heading back above 4% this month for the first time in three years, having failed to hit the Fed's 2% target rate since February 2021.
* Dollar set for weekly gain as jump in US inflation spurs rate hike bets. * China's Xi hails trade progress in Trump summit, sends Taiwan warning. * Yuan hits three-year high; yen finds support from BOJ board member comments. By Rae Wee.
Investors are bracing for U.S. Treasury yields to stay higher longer, skeptical that incoming Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh will be able to tame inflation stoked by surging oil prices during a prolonged Middle East conflict. Long-dated yields, including those on benchmark 10-year notes, have spiked as investors demand greater compensation for inflation risk as higher energy prices bite.
* Trump to discuss Iran with Xi in U.S.-China summit. * U.S. Producer Price Index posts largest gain in four years. * U.S. Senate approves Kevin Warsh as Fed chair. By Pablo Sinha. Gold prices ticked up on Thursday, supported by a weaker dollar, as investors focused on talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and looked for signs of progress in the Iran war.
Strong demand for technology stocks lifted equity indexes around the world on Thursday, while the dollar rose after economic data and investors awaited the outcome of a U.S.-China summit. In bonds, benchmark 10-year Treasury yields edged down after hitting an 11-month high as U.S. government debt found buying interest at key technical levels.
The dollar climbed for a fourth straight day on Thursday, as economic data continued to shift market expectations away from a potential rate cut from the Federal Reserve, while investors awaited any developments from talks between the U.S. and China.
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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