Euro zone business growth lost more momentum in Jan as Omicron hit demand

Euro zone economic growth lost more momentum in January as the bloc’s dominant services industry suffered from subdued demand amid tighter restrictions to contain the Omicron coronavirus variant, a survey showed.
Omicron restrains U.S. manufacturing; supply bottlenecks slowly easing

A measure of U.S. manufacturing activity fell to a 14-month low in January amid an outbreak of COVID-19 cases, supporting the view that economic growth lost steam at the start of the year.
U.S. economy likely regained steam in Q4, 2021 growth seen best in 37 years

U.S. economic growth likely accelerated in the fourth quarter as businesses replenished depleted inventories to meet strong demand for goods, helping the nation to log its best performance in nearly four decades in 2021.
U.S. consumer confidence dips; more plan to buy big-ticket items

U.S. consumer confidence ebbed slightly in January, with more consumers planning to purchase homes, automobiles and other big- ticket items even as they grew less optimistic about business and labor market conditions in the short term.
China says market views of monetary policy moves too ‘simplistic’

A Chinese newspaper run by the State Council, or cabinet, warned the market against “simplistic” interpretations of monetary policy moves as easing expectations gathered steam, suggesting China is not about to unleash a huge wave of credit in panic.
Analysis: KKR’s Telecom Italia approach may call time on Italy discount

A $12 billion takeover proposal for Telecom Italia by private equity giant KKR has highlighted an ‘Italian discount’, which a surge in investor interest and a European fund aimed at supporting its struggling economy could help narrow.
Analysis: Europe’s big payday remains elusive even as inflation surges

Visions of spiralling wage inflation in the euro zone have dominated the talking points of conservative central bankers in recent weeks as they called for a moderation in central bank stimulus.
Investors turn bearish on global economy though positioning upbeat – BofA survey

Barely a tenth of respondents in a monthly fund manager survey expect a stronger global economy in the coming months, marking the lowest proportion since last April’s initial COVID-19 panic, Bank of America’s (BofA’s) September edition of the survey showed.
‘What a run!’: German exports jump despite supply bottlenecks

German exports rose more than expected in June despite persisting supply bottlenecks in manufacturing, data showed on Monday, suggesting a solid recovery in Europe’s biggest economy.
Asia shares sit at 2021 lows ahead of Fed verdict

Asian shares stayed stuck at seven-month lows on Wednesday, as markets continued to digest a storm in Chinese equity markets, while the dollar rested with traders reluctant to place large bets ahead of the outcome of the Federal Reserve meeting.