Swiss National Bank sticks to loose policy, diverging from Fed and others

The Swiss National Bank stuck to its ultra-loose monetary policy on Thursday, diverging from the tightening path being taken by a growing number of central banks and despite higher inflation and a surge in the value of the safe-haven Swiss franc.
COVID curbs freeze Germany’s private sector growth in December – PMI

Growth in German private sector activity evaporated in December as restrictions to break an aggressive fourth wave of coronavirus infections hit the services sector in Europe’s largest economy, a survey showed on Thursday.
Analysis: History says expect strong December for U.S. stocks, despite Omicron and Fed worries

A pileup of risks into year-end has some investors gauging whether December will continue its historical trend of a strong stock performance, even as markets face of worries over the Omicron coronavirus variant and a more hawkish Federal Reserve.
Australia Q3 business investment slips, outlook surprisingly resilient

Australian business investment slipped in the third quarter as pandemic lockdowns shut many firms, though future spending plans proved surprisingly resilient and a rapid recovery is expected now that most restrictions have been lifted.
Analysis: Valuing Argentina’s peso: It could cost the Peronists an election

Argentina’s embattled currency could cost the ruling Peronist party an election – and its key majority in the Senate.
Marketmind: Melt up?

As confidence grows that the world’s biggest central banks are in no hurry for raising interest rates despite progress on the jobs and post-COVID reopening fronts, stock markets have powered to new record highs. A stronger S&P 500 close on Tuesday would see it notching its longest winning streak since 2004.
Crypto rally lifts ether to new record, bitcoin to near 3-week high

Bitcoin rallied toward its all-time high on Monday and ether climbed to a fresh record as cryptocurrencies rode a wave of momentum, flows, favourable news and inflation fears.
France’s economy bursts in the third quarter, and inflation soars

The French economy increased at a faster-than-expected 3 percent in the third quarter, according to preliminary statistics released on Friday, fueled by an increase in aggregate demand and exports as the eurozone’s second-largest economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the pandemic, an economic boost was always required for France, as tourist visits to the […]
Wage dispute deepens at German public banks as inflation fears persist

A labour dispute at Germany’s public-sector banks deepened on Wednesday after a third round of talks failed to reach agreement, with inflation fears prompting unions to stand firm over demands for higher wages.
Inflation does not faze Britain’s young – perhaps it should

In online chats to his 132,000 young followers, 19-year-old British social media influencer Joshua Gausden is focusing more on inflation as energy prices surge and the global economy hits bottlenecks.