German economy grew 2.7% in 2021 after plunge of 4.6% in 2020
The German economy failed to return to its pre-pandemic size in 2021 as microchip shortages hit production in the car industry and further COVID-19 restrictions slowed down the recovery of Europe’s largest economy, data showed on Friday.
UK economy finally bigger than before pandemic in November
Britain’s economy grew strongly in November to finally surpass its size just before the country went into its first COVID-19 lockdown, official data showedon Friday.
Analysis: After inflation, a bond supply shock may be next for markets
Central banks, the developed world’s most reliable group of bond buyers, could slash debt purchases next year by as much as $2 trillion across the four big advanced economies, implying a potentially hefty rise in many governments’ borrowing costs.
German industry expects economy to grow by 3.5% in 2022
Germany’s BDI industry association said on Thursday it expected Europe’s largest economy to grow 3.5% this year, giving a more cautious forecast than the government as it warned companies could face another “stop-and-go year” due to the pandemic.
Hong Kong warns COVID-19 curbs on air cargo to hit goods supply
Hong Kong will soon feel the negative effects of tougher COVID-19 quarantine curbs on air crew, with cargo traffic and the supply of goods into the city set to drop, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Wednesday.
Analysis: Pandemic fatigue makes the case for boosters a harder sell
Some nations are already looking to a fourth vaccine dose to help contend with a huge Omicron-driven spike in COVID-19 cases, but early signs suggest repeat vaccination may be a hard sell as beleaguered populations enter their third pandemic year.
Chinese cities tighten COVID-19 curbs as Tianjin battles Omicron outbreak
Cities across China are imposing tougher restrictions to try to control new outbreaks of COVID-19, with Tianjin battling the highly contagious Omicron variant which has been detected to have been transmitted locally in two other provinces.
U.S. reports 1.35 million COVID-19 cases in a day, shattering global record
The United States reported 1.35 million new coronavirus infections on Monday, according to a Reuters tally, the highest daily total for any country in the world as the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant showed no signs of slowing.
U.S. job growth seen accelerating in December; record job creation anticipated for 2021
U.S. employment growth likely picked up in December, culminating in record job creation in 2021, but the labor market could temporarily lose its luster as raging COVID-19 infections cause disruptions at businesses and schools.
Shell pursues $7 billion buyback ‘at pace’ despite LNG troubles
Royal Dutch Shell said it will pursue “at pace” a $7 billion share buyback largely funded from the sale of its U.S. shale business as it faces liquefied natural gas (LNG) outages and slower fuel sales due to the economic hit from Omicron.
