Gold Silver Reports (GSR) – The euro climbed higher against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, after the European Central Bank (ECB) said it would delay its first post-crisis interest rate hike until at least the middle of next year. In a move that was well-flagged, ECB President Mario Draghi also offered to pay banks if they borrow cash from the central bank and pass it on to households and firms.
Global Economic Outlook
Fed Keeps Rates Unchanged, Says Inflation Pressure Is Low
The Federal Open Market Committee, or FOMC, just wrapped up its two-day meeting. As expected, the federal funds rate remained the same, but that doesn’t mean that nothing significant happened. In fact, some potentially dovish language has been added to the committee’s statement, which may reduce the probability of further interest rate hikes.
Draghi: The Governing Council stands ready to adjust all of its instruments
Draghi: The Governing Council stands ready to adjust all of its instruments to ensure that inflation continues to move towards the inflation aim
China Data Dump to Show Investment Recovery Continuing in 2019
China’s first batch of major official indicators this year are forecast to show that an investment recovery that began in mid-2018 is set to continue, but the economic slowdown and trade war are still undermining factory output and consumption.
Fed not in ‘Hurry’ to Change Rates Amid Global Risks
Fed not in ‘Hurry’ to Change Rates Amid Global Risks – Rates are currently “appropriate,” Powell said in a wide-ranging interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes news show in which he called the current rate level “appropriate” and “roughly neutral,” meaning it is neither stimulating or curbing the economy.
Fed’s $4 Trillion Balance Sheet in Focus Ahead of Minutes From January Meeting
The U.S. dollar held onto gains against its global peers Wednesday ahead of Minutes from the Federal Reserve that are expected to confirm the bank’s recent signals on slower rate hikes and a more patient approach to monetary policy in the face of uncertain economic growth at home and notable weakening around the world.
Fed’s Williams Says New Economic Outlook Necessary For Rate Hikes
New York Fed President John Williams on Tuesday said he was comfortable with the level U.S. interest rates are at now, and sees no need to raise them again unless growth or inflation shift to an unexpectedly higher gear.
Draghi’s Long Farewell May Delay ECB Guidance move
Gold Silver Reports (GSR) – Some European Central Bank policymakers are reluctant to alter their guidance on interest rates as a move could tie the hands of the bank’s next president many months before an appointment is even made, four sources close to the matter said.
Wall Street’s view on Trump’s talk of firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell: ‘Utter madness’
President D. Trump’s growing dissatisfaction with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell could be veering into dangerous territory. With the Fed embarked on a campaign to tighten monetary policy, the president has repeatedly attacked Powell, reportedly fearful that a volatile market – and the attendant possibility of an economic downturn – could endanger his reelection prospects.
Gold Steadies Near One Week High; All eyes on Fed
Gold Silver Reports (GSR) Spot gold was up 0.26 percent at $1,249.11 per ounce at 1:50 p.m., having earlier touched its highest level since Dec. 10 at $1,250.27, just short of a five-month peak of $1,250.55 hit last week.