Markets & Industries
World's largest portfolio managers fear a global trade war - 02/19/2025
Nearly 50% of portfolio managers polled by Bank of America (BofA) think that the globe is on the brink of a worldwide trade war instigated by the United States. Regardless of this, investors persist in decreasing the cash allocation in portfolios by boosting investments in stocks, mainly in U.S. and European firms. BofA’s February survey by of 205 managers holding $485 billion in assets found...
Goldman Sachs raises gold price forecast to $3100 by the end of the year - 02/19/2025
Goldman Sachs Group analysts increased their prediction for gold prices by the end of 2025 to $3,100 per ounce, attributing this to central bank acquisitions and inflows into exchange-traded funds, as reported by Bloomberg based on an analytical report. Goldman Sachs predicted last year that gold would reach $3,000 an ounce by the year’s end. According to Goldman Sachs analysts Lina Thomas and...
EU foreign trade surplus quadruples in 2024 - 02/18/2025
According to initial estimates from Eurostat, the euro zone’s trade surplus in December 2024 reached €16.3 billion. In December 2023, the estimation was €16.1 billion, while in November 2024 it was €12.7 billion. The expansion of the surplus on a monthly basis was supported, among other factors, by the local rise in vehicle trade: increasing to €18.8 billion from €15.6 billion in November. The...
China sees record number of mergers and acquisitions in the banking sector - 02/14/2025
As per calculations by Reuters, in 2024, China saw the highest number of mergers and acquisitions among regional banks since the 2000s. It has been reported that a total of 290 mergers and acquisitions took place in this sector. In addition to the group of major national banks, small regional banks—of which roughly 3,700 exist in the nation—significantly contribute to the economy by providing...
FT: There is a threat to restoration of shipping in the Red Sea - 02/10/2025
US President Donald Trump's plan to manage the Gaza Strip has diminished expectations of reestablishing trade in the Red Sea, where commercial vessels have faced assaults from the Houthis during Israel's conflict with Hamas, writes The Financial Times (FT) citing shipping companies. The publication notes that following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Houthis announced in January that...
Citi predicts gold's price to rise to $3000 within three months - 02/07/2025
Bloomberg reports referring to analysts at Citigroup that gold prices are expected to hit an all-time high of $3000 per ounce in the next three months. The need for safe-haven assets is growing In the context of escalating geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts, they indicate. The agency reports that Donald Trump has "stunned markets" with the potential implementation of tariffs, which could...
China to appeal to the WTO because of the U.S. tariffs - 02/03/2025
China's Ministry of Commerce has voiced its displeasure over the US's choice to implement a 25% tariff on Chinese products. Beijing plans to submit a lawsuit to the World Trade Organization (WTO). “The Ministry of Commerce stated (as reported by AFP) that China is very unhappy and firmly opposes the tariffs.” US President Donald Trump previously signed an order imposing tariffs on products from...
Eurozone economy moves to stagnation in Q4 - 01/31/2025
The eurozone nations' economy encountered stagnation in the fourth quarter, according to the initial evaluation released by Eurostat. Consequently, GDP, adjusted for seasonal variations, stayed the same as in the prior quarter. Experts anticipated a rise in this metric by 0.1%, according to the Financial Times. Overall, the report from the EU statistical service indicates that the eurozone...
The U.S. Fed keeps key rate unchanged after three rate cuts - 01/30/2025
The US Federal Reserve (Fed) maintains its key interest rate at 4.25-4.5% annually following three reductions. The regulator's choice was clarified by the "somewhat heightened" rate of inflation in the US, along with a labor market that was stronger than anticipated. Maintaining the rate can also be viewed as a reaction to President Donald Trump, who has expressed his goal of achieving a swift...
Trump: US plans to produce oil and gas in Alaska for Asian market - 01/28/2025
US President Donald Trump revealed intentions to restart oil and gas extraction in the protected lands of Alaska. He believes that the reserves from these fields can satisfy the needs of the whole Asian market. The president stated that an executive order will soon be issued for the resumption measure. “I believe I'm going to accomplish it through an executive order ... I believe we will complete...