Currencies

Banks tap Fed liquidity tool amid year-end pressures

A key Federal Reserve overnight liquidity facility saw increased use on Monday, data from the New York Fed showed. The U.S. central bank lent a total of $25.95 billion on Monday to...

Russian Railways plans to cut spending by 20% in 2026

The board of directors of state-owned Russian Railways has approved spending for 2026 at 713.6 billion roubles , down from 890.9 billion roubles this year, the company said on Monday. ...

Sterling steady near recent highs on dollar and euro

The pound held steady against both the dollar and the euro in thin holiday trading on Monday with little in the way of scheduled events that could move the currency until the new year. ...

Russian billionaire Potanin acquires minority stake in cloud provider Selectel

A joint venture controlled by Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin has acquired a 25% stake in IT infrastructure provider Selectel, one of the venture's partners said on Monday, as Moscow seeks to...

DAX Barely Moves as Ukraine Talks Weigh on Defense Stocks

On the penultimate trading day of the year, investors on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange are avoiding major risks. The DAX opened slightly higher on Monday, trading at 24,370.94 points. ...

Russian factory activity shrinks at fastest pace since March 2022, PMI shows

Russia's manufacturing sector contracted at its fastest rate since March 2022 in December, as output and new orders fell sharply, S&P Global reported on Monday. The Purchasing Managers'...

Bulgaria prepares for the euro amid excitement and scepticism

Bulgarian banks, businesses and shoppers were preparing this week to say goodbye to the lev currency ahead of a move to adopt the euro on January 1, a long-awaited milestone met with excitement,...

UBS AM warms to beaten-down Indian rupee, but neutral on government debt

The Indian rupee's slide against the dollar has increased its allure for UBS Asset Management ahead of a long-anticipated trade deal with the U.S., even as it remains neutral on Indian bonds. ...

BOJ debated need for more rate hikes even after December move, summary shows

Bank of Japan policymakers debated the need to keep raising interest rates even after a hike in December with one calling for increases every few months, a summary of opinions showed, highlighting...

S&P 500 eyes 7,000 mark as investors look for upbeat end to strong 2025

Investors are looking for the U.S. stock market to end 2025 on a high note next week, with equities at record peaks and nearing further bullish milestones to close out another strong year. ...

Japan proposes record budget spending while curbing fresh debt

Japan's government on Friday proposed record spending for next fiscal year while curbing debt issuance, underscoring Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's challenge in boosting the economy while inflation...

Japan's cabinet approves record $785 billion budget, vows to keep debt in check

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet on Friday approved a record $785 billion budget for the next fiscal year, aiming to strike a balance between her proactive fiscal policy and debt...

Japan cuts issuance of longest bonds as fiscal worries drive selloff

Japan's finance ministry will over the next fiscal year issue the fewest super-long government bonds, known as JGBs, in 17 years, according to a plan approved by the cabinet on Friday. ...

Core inflation in Japan's capital slows in December but no bar for further BOJ hikes

Core consumer inflation in Japan's capital slowed in December on moderating cost pressure for food but stayed above the central bank's 2% target, data showed on Friday, firming the case for further...

Japan PM reassures markets with fiscal discipline in next year's budget

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sought on Thursday to ease market concerns over her expansionary fiscal policy, saying the government's draft budget maintains discipline by limiting reliance on...

BOJ chief sees progress in hitting price goal, signals further hikes

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Thursday the nation's underlying inflation is accelerating gradually and steadily approaching the central bank's 2% target, reiterating the central bank's...

US weekly jobless claims fall, but more people collecting unemployment checks

The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits unexpectedly fell last week, consistent with a low level of layoffs, but the unemployment rate likely remained high in December...

US weekly jobless claims unexpectedly fall

The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits unexpectedly fell last week, but the unemployment rate likely remained high in December amid sluggish hiring. Initial...

Sterling steady near multi-month highs, BoE caution still top of mind

The pound held around a three-month high against a broadly softer dollar and near its firmest in two months against the euro on Wednesday, although trading was thin ahead of the Christmas holiday. ...