Warning: Undefined variable $l in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 171
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 171
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 171
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 171
Warning: Undefined variable $l in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 188
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 188
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 188
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 188
Warning: Undefined variable $l in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 206
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 206
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 206
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 206
Warning: Undefined variable $l in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 223
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 223
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 223
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 223
Warning: Undefined variable $l in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 240
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 240
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 240
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 240
Warning: Undefined variable $l in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 278
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 278
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 278
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 278
Warning: Undefined variable $l in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 293
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 293
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 293
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 293
Warning: Undefined variable $l in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 306
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 306
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 306
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 306
Warning: Undefined variable $l in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 320
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 320
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 320
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 320
Warning: Undefined variable $l in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 334
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 334
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 334
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 334
Warning: Undefined variable $l in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 545
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 545
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 545
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/bluesuisse/public_html/index.php on line 545
Sterling Appreciates on Bailey's Hawkish Remarks
Sterling rose back to $1.23, not far from a seven-week high of $1.234 touched on March 23rd, after Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said on Monday that further monetary tightening would be required if signs of persistent inflationary pressure became evident. He also said there were "big strains" in the global banking sector, but added that banks in Britain were resilient and able to support the economy. Last week, the UK central bank raised its key bank rate by an 11th consecutive time to 4.25% and left the door open for more rate hikes should inflation persist. Recent data had shown Britain's inflation unexpectedly accelerated to 10.4% in February, well above the bank's target of 2%. In the US, the Federal Reserve expects to deliver one more quarter-point rate hike this year, while markets have priced in a near 90% chance of the Fed's standing pat on interest rates in May and anticipate a rate cut in July.Hungary Current Account Gap Widens in Q4
Hungary's current account deficit increased to EUR 4.34 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022 from EUR 3.30 billion in the same quarter of the previous year. It was the seventh consecutive period of negative reading, as the goods account gap expanded to EUR 4.35 billion from EUR 2.59 billion a year earlier, and the secondary income gap grew to EUR 0.44 billion from EUR 0.29 billion in Q4 of 2021. At the same time, the primary income deficit inched down to EUR 1.47 billion from EUR 1.60 billion, and the services surplus advanced to EUR 1.93 billion from EUR 1.18 billion. For the whole year of 2022, the current account deficit jumped to EUR 13.72 billion from EUR 6.25 billion in 2021.Euro Gains as Bank Fears Ease
The euro bounced back above $1.08, moving closer towards a seven-week high of $1.0929 touched last Wednesday, as worries over global banking turmoil and recession eased following news on Monday that regional US lender First Citizens BancShares' bought all of Silicon Valley Bank's deposits and loans. At the same time, investors await key Euro Area inflation data due Friday. The euro will likely continue to appreciate against the dollar as the policy divergence between the European Central Bank and US Federal Reserve is set to widen. ECB President Lagarde said that the central bank is determined to get the inflation back on target and it won’t involve “trade-offs", while board member Isabel Schnabel said the ECB could look for new ways of managing liquidity in the banking sector and steering short-term interest rates in the market. On the other hand, markets price in a near 90% chance the Fed stands pat in May and delivers a rate cut in July.European Markets Head for Positive Open
European equity markets were headed for a positive open on Tuesday, extending gains in Asia as fears of a wider banking contagion continued to ease. First Citizens BancShares agreed to buy significant holdings of Silicon Valley Bank, while outflows from small lenders to banking giants have slowed. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey also said late on Monday that he remains confident in the UK banking system and regulatory framework, allowing the central bank to focus on its fight against inflation. Investors now look ahead to consumer and business confidence data from France and Italy. DAX, Stoxx 600 and FTSE 100 futures were all up about 0.5% in pre-market trade.Lithuania Retail Sales Fall 1.8% YoY in February
Retail sales in Lithuania dropped by 1.8 percent year-on-year in February 2023, reversing a 3.1 percent rise in the previous month. Sales fell for both food, beverages & tobacco (-7.6 percent vs -5.9 percent in January), and non-food products (-0.8 percent vs 3.1 percent) amid a softer rise in automotive fuel in specialized stores (5.9 percent vs 18.4 percent). On a monthly basis, they shrank by 6.9 percent, the second consecutive decline, following a 16.4 percent plunge in January.NZX Jumps 1.4% at Close
The ANZ 50 surged 158.41 points or 1.36% to end at nearly 3-week tops of 11,771.27 on Tuesday, extending previous wins, as a US regulator-backed deal by First Citizens BancShares to buy Silicon Valley Bank calmed fears about problems in the banking sector. Further, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr said the financial system in the US was "strong and resilient" and depositors' money was safe. Meanwhile, the FDIC will report to Congress that the financial system remains solid, but policy review is necessary to prevent future collapses. In China, Alibaba founder Jack Ma returned home after spending a year overseas, as Beijing tried to restore entrepreneurs' confidence following a long crackdown in the tech sector. Healthcare led the gains, soaring by 3.2%, amid rises from Fisher & Paykel (0.8%) and Ryman Healthcare (3.8%). Other top performers were Blis Technologies (7.7%), Aofrio (6.7%), Paysauce (4%), Sky Network Television (3.6%), and Vista Group Intl. (3.2%).Sensex Sluggish in Morning Trade
The BSE Sensex rose 50.6 points or 0.1% to 57,704.5 in early deals on Tuesday, trying to extend gains from the prior day and mirroring a broad rise in Asian markets, as US stocks ended mainly higher overnight with worries about the banking turmoil easing following a buyout deal by First Citizens for the deposits and loans of the SVB. Meantime, S&P Global Ratings Monday kept its forecast for India’s GDP growth unchanged at 6% in the FY starting April 1st, before accelerating to 6.9% in the following year. In China, Premier Li Qiang vowed that Beijing will open wider to the outside world and establish a broad space for foreign companies to grow in the country. Gains were limited, however, amid worries that the Fed and other central banks could be forced to implement higher-for-longer rate hikes to curb inflation. Financial services, metals, and realty were mainly higher, with gains from Hindalco (1.7%), Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (1.1%), IndusInd Bank (1.0%), and Coal India (0.9%).Australian Dollar Gains on Risk-On Mood
The Australian dollar appreciated toward $0.67 as positive updates in the financial sector raised hopes that the worst of the recent banking turmoil has passed, boosting riskier assets. Traders also digested data showing retail sales in Australia grew more than expected in February but slowed sharply from the previous month. Still, the aussie remained close to multi-month lows after the Reserve Bank of Australia stated in its latest policy meeting minutes it would reconsider the case for a pause at the April fixing to reassess the economic outlook. The RBA raised interest rates by 25 basis points in March, lifting the cash rate for the 10th straight session and bringing borrowing costs to an almost 11-year high of 3.6%.Steel Attempts to Rise from 1-Month Low
Steel rebar futures rose above CNY 4,130, trying to recover from the one-month-low of CNY 4,100 touched last week, amid expectations of increased activity in China's infrastructure and construction following fresh liquidity injections and the cut in the reserve ratio by the PBoC. Although industrial output growth was slightly below estimates for January and February, investors were optimistic about strong investment advances. China's state planner issued another warning against speculation in the market, and fresh production curbs were imposed in major steel cities. At the same time, National Development and Reform Commission said it would look again at measures to cut "unreasonable" iron ore prices and urged trading firms to avoid hoarding and inflating. China has been pondering slashing its crude steel output by about 2.5% this year. However, some officials consider the cut too high for a still-recovering economy. The target is expected to be set before the end of June.Dollar Slips as Bank Concerns Fade
The dollar index slipped toward 102.5 on Tuesday and fell for the second straight session as fears over the recent financial turmoil started to fade, hurting demand for the safe-haven currency. Investors welcomed news about First Citizens BankShares' agreement to buy significant holdings of Silicon Valley Bank. At the same time, CNBC reported that outflows from small institutions to lending giants have slowed. US authorities also aimed to shore up confidence by considering an expanded emergency lending facility and assuring markets that the US banking system was "sound and resilient." Last week, the Federal Reserve delivered a widely expected 25 basis point rate hike and hinted at a final rate increase. Still, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the officials didn't see rate cuts for 2023 and were prepared to prolong their tightening cycle if needed. All eyes now turn to a key measure of US inflation and several speeches from Fed officials this week.