外匯市場最新訊息

September 12, 2024

United States (U.S.): Weekly Jobless Claims Inch Up To 230,000; Producer Prices Rise Slightly More Than Expected in August

The Labor Department released a report showing a modest increase in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended September 7. Initial jobless claims rose to 230,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level of 228,000. Economists expected jobless claims to inch up to 230,000 from the 227,000 reported last week. The Labor Department said the less volatile four-week moving average also crept up to 230,750, an increase of 500 compared to the previous week's revised average of 230,250. 09/12/2024 - 08:41:00 (RTTNews)

Producer prices in the U.S. rose slightly more than expected in August. The Labor Department said its producer price index for final demand crept up by 0.2% in August, while revised data showed prices were unchanged in July. Economists expected producer prices to inch up by 0.1%, matching the uptick reported for the previous month. Meanwhile, the annual rate of producer price growth slowed to 1.7% in August from a downwardly revised 2.1% in July. The year-over-year increase in producer prices was expected to decelerate to 1.8% from the 2.2% reported for the previous month. 09/12/2024 - 08:37:00 (RTTNews)

European Union (E.U.): ECB Cuts Interest Rates on Weaker Eurozone Growth Outlook

Euro traded at 1.1039 against USD at 9:00 am PST.

The European Central Bank reduced its key interest rates by 25 basis points, as expected, due to the slowing euro area growth driven by weak demand and persistently high core inflationary pressures, thanks to the stickiness of services inflation. The Governing Council, led by ECB President Christine Lagarde, lowered the deposit facility rate to 3.50% as the new policy rate. The bank also announced that the spread between the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the deposit facility rate will be set at 15 basis points, effective September 18. The interest rates on the main refinancing operations and the marginal lending facility will be decreased to 3.65% and 3.90%, respectively. "Based on the Governing Council's updated assessment of the inflation outlook, the dynamics of underlying inflation, and the strength of monetary policy transmission, it is now appropriate to take another step in moderating the degree of monetary policy restriction," the ECB said. The ECB also observed that domestic inflation remains high as wages are still rising at an elevated pace. However, the labor cost pressures are moderating, and profits are partially buffering the impact of higher wages on inflation, the bank added. Furthermore, financing conditions remain restrictive, and economic activity is still subdued, reflecting weak private consumption and investment. 09/12/2024 - 09:40:00 (RTTNews)