News

The Society of British Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT): British car production fell by 14.3% year-on-year in November, with a total of 65,932 passenger cars and commercial vehicles leaving the factory.

The Gfk consumer confidence index in the UK in December was -17, expected -18, and the previous value -19.

The British December Gfk consumer confidence index will be released in ten minutes.

Japan's national non-seasonally adjusted monthly CPI rate in November was 0.3%, compared with the previous value of 0.7%.

Japan's national CPI annual rate in November was 2.9%, expected to be 2.9%, and the previous value was 3%.

Japan’s November core CPI annual rate was 3%, expected to be 3%, and the previous value was 3%.

Japan's November core CPI annual rate will be released in ten minutes.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index opened 43.00 points higher, or 0.50%, at 8631.20 on Friday, December 19.

Federal Reserve: In the week ended December 17, the Fed’s reserve balance fell to $2.93 trillion, a decrease of $40.1 billion from the previous week. This level touched the lowest since December 3 this year.

New Zealand's exports in November were NZ$6.99 billion, the previous value was revised from NZ$6.5 billion to NZ$6.44 billion.

In the week ending December 12, foreign central banks held US Treasury bonds of -$10.213 billion, compared with the previous value of US$5.429 billion.

U.S. Democratic Rep. Don Beyer: The proposed merger of Trump Media Technology Group and nuclear fusion company TAE Technologies raises serious concerns about conflicts of interest and potential avenues for corruption.

The net inflow of long-term capital into the United States in October was US$17.5 billion, and the previous value was revised from US$179.8 billion to US$173.2 billion.

Net international capital inflows into the United States in October were -$37.3 billion, and the previous value was revised from $190.1 billion to $184.3 billion.

Brazilian Finance Minister Haddad: I have sent a letter to French President Macron saying that the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union means much more than trade. It pays to press ahead with the Mercosur-EU trade deal, and Europeans have nothing to lose.

Sources: Pemex’s head of exploration and production Angel Cid is expected to resign in the coming days.

Fed Goolsby: Terminal interest rates will be well below current levels, (so) from a realistic perspective, there is considerable room for interest rate reductions.

Fed Goolsby: As long as it is clear that inflation is returning to the 2% target, there is considerable room for interest rates to be lowered.

Fed Goolsby: Most indicators of the job market are showing a pretty steady cooling.

Fed Goolsby: Need to see more sustained progress in cooling inflation.