Brazil central bank to make more rate decisions with board vacancies, sources say
Brazil’s central bank will make another interest rate decision this week with two empty seats on its monetary policy committee, which may remain open for several more months given tensions between the government and Senate leaders, people familiar with the matter said. (Reuters)
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Fed to present an updated outlook looking through the fog of war
U.S. Federal Reserve officials, their policy outlook roiled by a war that has stranded a fifth of global oil supply, meet this week to debate whether the Iran conflict is more likely to disrupt economic growth, threaten more persistent inflation, or create a confounding mix of economic slowing and rising prices. (Reuters)
US job openings broadly picked up in January, layoffs fell
US job openings rose in January and layoffs fell, signalling that demand for workers was improving before the labour market showed fresh signs of weakness. Available positions increased to 6.95 million from 6.55 million in December, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data out on Friday. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for 6.75 million openings. (The Edge Malaysia)
US trade gap narrowed in January by more than projected
The US trade deficit narrowed in January as exports increased, coming off of a turbulent year for domestic importers contending with erratic tariff policy. The gap in goods and services trade shrank more than 25.0% from the prior month to US$54.5 billion (RM214.1 billion), Commerce Department data showed Thursday. (The Edge Malaysia)
US consumer prices increase moderately before Iran conflict.
US consumer prices rose moderately in February as rents maintained a steady pace of increases, though households paid more for gasoline and at the supermarket. The Consumer Price Index report from the Labor Department on Wednesday also showed underlying inflation muted last month. (The Edge Malaysia)
US: US existing home sales unexpectedly increase in February
U.S. existing home sales unexpectedly increased in February as lower mortgage rates and a moderation in house-price growth pulled buyers back into the market, but still-tight supply could constrain activity during the spring selling season. (Reuters)
US: NY Fed survey finds relative calm in inflation expectations ahead of Iran war
In what’s likely to be the calm before the storm, Americans’ inflation expectations were little changed in February amid mixed views on the state of the job market and current and future finances. (Reuters)
US: Unexpected job losses, rise in unemployment rate fan US labor market doubts
The U.S. economy unexpectedly lost jobs in February and the unemployment rate increased to 4.4%, potentially hinting at a deterioration in labor market conditions that could put the Federal Reserve in a difficult spot amid rising oil prices. (Reuters)