Friday, 26 November, 2021
One scientist told me this was the worst variant they’d seen – look at it on paper and it’s not hard to see why. It is the most heavily mutated variant so far and is now radically different to the form that emerged in Wuhan, China. That means vaccines, which were designed using the original, may not be as effective. And some of its mutations are known to increase the ability of coronaviruses to spread. […] Read More
Friday, 26 November, 2021
Travellers arriving in England from several southern African countries will have to quarantine amid warnings over a new coronavirus variant. UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said from 12:00 GMT on Friday six countries would be added to the red list, with flights being temporarily banned. One expert described the variant, known as B.1.1.529, as “the worst one we’ve seen so far”, and there is concern it has the potential to evade immunity. No cases have […] Read More
Friday, 26 November, 2021
(BN) South Africa Working at ‘Lightning Speed’ on New Virus Variant ——————————————————————————-This message may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are notthe intended recipient, please advise us immediately and delete this message.The unauthorised use, disclosure, distribution and/or copying of this e-mail orany information it contains is prohibited.This information is not, and should not be construed as, a recommendation,solicitation or offer to buy or sell any securities or related financialproducts. This information does not constitute investment advice, does notconstitute a personal recommendation and has been prepared without regard tothe individual financial circumstances, needs or objectives of persons whoreceive it. BN 11/26 05:28 *SOUTH AFRICA SCIENTIST: WORK ON VARIANT AT ‘LIGHTNING SPEED’ South Africa Working at ‘Lightning Speed’ on New Virus Variant2021-11-26 05:45:22.470 GMT By Antony Sguazzin (Bloomberg) — South African scientists are working “atlightning speed” to ascertain how quickly the concerning newcoronavirus variant can spread and whether it is resistant toCovid-19 vaccines. Results will still take at least two weeks, Tulio deOliveira, […] Read More
Thursday, 25 November, 2021
GS: The November FOMC minutes provided little new insight into the FOMC’s tapering plans. All participants judged it appropriate to announce the start of tapering at the November meeting and “some” participants favored a faster taper, but the September minutes had already revealed that “several” participants advocated for a more rapid reduction of purchases. Inflation commentary in the minutes was hawkish on net, however and since the November meeting, several FOMC members have signaled openness […] Read More
Monday, 22 November, 2021
REFINITIV Alerts History 22-Nov-2021 14:00:00 – BIDEN INTENDS TO NOMINATE JEROME POWELL AS FED CHAIR, LAEL BRAINARD AS VICE CHAIR – WHITE HOUSE 22-Nov-2021 14:00:00 – WHITE HOUSE SAYS POWELL HAS PROVIDED STEADY LEADERSHIP DURING AN UNPRECEDENTEDLY CHALLENGING PERIOD 22-Nov-2021 14:00:00 – WHITE HOUSE SAYS BRAINARD HAS PLAYED A KEY LEADERSHIP ROLE AT THE FED 22-Nov-2021 14:00:00 – WHITE HOUSE SAYS POWELL AND BRAINARD SHARE THE ADMINISTRATION’S FOCUS ON ENSURING THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH BROADLY BENEFITS […] Read More
Monday, 15 November, 2021
Central banks will stay on the alert as they guide the recovery Progress in overcoming the pandemic’s effects is faster than expected, but monetary stimulus is still required Tiff Macklem The writer is governor of the Bank of Canada https://www.ft.com/content/44902f21-80fb-47b3-a56d-1356d359b679 Even as the global economy recovers, the pandemic continues to challenge people, businesses and governments. For central banks, charting and communicating monetary policy now requires a more delicate balance. In Canada, as in many other […] Read More
Wednesday, 10 November, 2021
RBA economic forecasts at odds with its guidance on rates: CBA Ronald Mizen Economics correspondent https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/rba-economic-forecasts-at-odds-with-its-guidance-on-rates-cba-20211110-p597s3 The Reserve Bank of Australia’s outlook for the economy – and therefore its guidance on interest rates – is inconsistent and should be overhauled, according to Commonwealth Bank economists. RBA governor Philip Lowe last week reiterated the central bank’s view the current record low 0.1 per cent cash rate would remain on hold until 2024, based […] Read More
Tuesday, 09 November, 2021
FRANKFURT, Nov 9 (Reuters) – Euro zone inflation is likely to fall back below 2% late next year but the European Central Bank should prepare for a less benign scenario, avoiding long policy commitments as upside risks dominate, Dutch policymaker Klaas Knot said on Tuesday. Inflation rose above 4% last month, more than twice the ECB’s 2% target. But the bank has pushed back on calls for tighter policy, arguing transitory forces are behind the […] Read More
Tuesday, 09 November, 2021
The U.S. Federal Reserve looks at a wide range of indicators in gauging how close the economy is to reaching full employment, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said on Tuesday, as he reiterated the benefits of targeting workers who often remain on the sidelines. “When we assess whether we are at maximum employment, we purposely look at a wide range of indicators,” Powell told a virtual conference on diversity and inclusion in economics, finance, and central […] Read More
Friday, 05 November, 2021
FT: UK lenders begin to raise mortgage rates despite BoE decision Mortgage borrowers’ chances of securing an ultra-cheap deal narrowed this week in spite of a decision by the Bank of England to hold interest rates at 0.1 per cent, as banks and building societies raised interest rates across their fixed-rate home loans. The central bank’s decision surprised financial markets, which had factored in a rise this month. Rates are nonetheless likely to rise to […] Read More