Stock market professionals are less pessimistic about the prospects for the German economy in the next six months. This is shown by the current economic barometer of the Center for European Economic Research (ZEW). The government also wants to get the economy moving again with additional relief measures.
ARTICLES IN THE TOPIC “Markets”
Encouraging fall in inflation
Since the beginning of November the prices of both risky security classes such as equities and credit-safe government bonds have been on the rise. The market appears to be increasingly pricing in a so-called “soft” landing for the economy. The probability of this actually increased over the course of the year. However, the economic data published in recent weeks and months does not contradict the “hard” landing scenario.
Soft-landing optimism might be in for some disappointment
The financial environment has become slightly more relaxed since the beginning of November. This fact is manifesting itself on the market in the form of falling yields and rising share prices. This week, two indicators relating to the US economy in particular could provide clues as to the sustainability of this trend since the beginning of the month: retail sales and consumer prices.
Holiday sales: Hopes for record season in the US
The robust labor market and many special offers give hope for another record Christmas season in the USA. The latest market research data also shows that, despite inflation and high interest rates, Americans are once again planning to spend more over the holidays this year.
India and the West – at the crossroads?
India was recently in the spotlight as the venue for the G20 summit. Shortly thereafter, however, the relationship with the major Western states cooled. How will the West’s relationship with India develop and what role will the country play in the future?
Middle East Conflict continues: worries about expansion to other countries
Roughly two weeks after the surprising terrorist attacks by the radical Islamic Hamas ruling the Gaza Strip, on targets in Israel, the military conflict in the country continues unabated. The war in the region also continues to dominate the financial and commodity markets, with global concerns that the conflict could possibly spread to other countries in the Middle East being the main driver of uncertainty.
Artificial Intelligence – Tool or Toy?
There is hardly any getting around artificial intelligence (AI). Are we only at the beginning of an AI hype or has it already peaked? For whom is AI good business at all and what can the new technology actually be used for?
Gold: From means of payment to safe haven
Gold has played an important role in the financial and economic system for centuries. While it initially served as a means of payment, the role of the precious metal increasingly changed over the course of history to become a crisis currency and a store of wealth in uncertain times.
Market commentary: Is the interest rate peak reached?
“Higher for longer” has become the mantra of the powerful central bankers in recent months. Monetary policy is likely to remain restrictive longer than originally expected. Regardless of whether the major central banks will follow up with a final interest rate step in autumn, the interest rate peak has probably been reached and “the worst” is behind us.
How restrictive are the current interest rate policy and financial environment really?
In line with the surprisingly strong economic indicators in the US, government bond yields have risen significantly in recent months. This is putting pressure on the prices of many classes of securities and intensifying discussions about how restrictive interest rate policy really is. Could the higher level of yields make the central bank’s job easier in the form of further interest rate hikes?