Central bank chiefs, including European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, have shown skepticism towards aggressive interest rate reductions.
This cautious approach contrasts with market traders, who are repositioning in anticipation of such changes.
Lagarde’s recent communication to Bloomberg News hinted at a potential ECB rate cut during the European summer, depending on economic data and the resolution of uncertainties.
This perspective aligns with Federal Reserve Board member Christopher Waller’s recommendation for a gradual approach to interest rate adjustments.
Expectations in the swap market for a Federal Reserve rate cut in March have decreased from 80% to 65%.
There’s also been an adjustment in projections for the ECB’s initial 0.25 percentage point rate reduction, which is now expected to occur between April and June.
China achieved its 2023 economic goals, propelled by a surge in industrial production and investment at year-end.
The country’s GDP grew 5.2% last year, meeting economists’ forecasts and Beijing’s target of about 5%.
Italy approved the €22 billion sale of Telecom Italia’s landline network to private equity firm KKR.
This deal caused Telecom Italia’s stock to jump up to 3% in Milan, increasing its market valuation to €6.3 billion.
Heightened tensions in the Middle East
Oil prices are declining due to a stronger U.S. dollar and wider risk factors despite heightened tensions in the Middle East, including continuous attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The UK’s inflation unexpectedly rose for the first time in ten months, causing investors to lower their expectations for Bank of England rate cuts this year.
The Consumer Price Index climbed 4% year-on-year in December, up from the previous 3.9% increase.
Overall, asset markets are experiencing a downturn. U.S. futures, European stocks, and Asian indices all closed lower.
Gold and oil contracts declined, as did the Euro against the dollar. Bitcoin’s value also dropped.