Europe's Top Central Banks Take Different Tacks on Inflation

The Bank of England became the first major central bank to raise its benchmark interest rate since the pandemic began, while the ECB said it would phase out an emergency bond-buying program while ramping up other stimulus measures. 


 
Stocks Fall Amid Decisions From Central Banks

Major central banks took different approaches to the surge in both inflation and Covid-19 infections, following the Federal Reserve's decision to tighten monetary policy. 


 
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Probing 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Companies, Including Affirm, Klarna

Consumer bureau seeks information on $55 billion installment-plan sector popular with online merchants. 


 
Jobless Claims Remain Near Decades Low

Initial jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, inched up by 18,000 to 206,000 for the week ended Dec. 11 from a revised 188,000-the lowest level in 52 years-the week before, the Labor Department said Thursday. 


 
Philly Fed manufacturing index slides in December amid elevated inflation

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said Thursday that is gauge of regional business activity fell to 15.4 in December from 39 in the previous month. Any reading above zero indicates improving conditions. 


 
U.S. Economy Gets Some Out-of-Season Cheer

November is usually a time for both home builders and manufacturers to ease up. But not this year. 


 
Turkey's Currency Crisis Escalates After Central Bank Cuts Rates

Turkey's central bank bowed to political pressure to slash interest rates, defying soaring inflation and deepening a currency crisis that has dogged the economy. 


 
Norges Bank Lifts Key Rate by 0.25%

Norway's central bank raised its key policy rate to 0.50%, as expected, and said a further hike is likely in March but cautioned that more measures to counter rising Covid-19 cases could derail its planned rate path. 


 
Covid-19 Surge Slows U.S., European Recovery, but Supply Problems Ease

U.S. business activity continued to expand but at the slowest pace in three months despite strong demand from customers. 


 
Hong Kong Tech Conference Postponed by Pandemic Restrictions

Organizers of the annual RISE Conference are postponing a gathering in Hong Kong that was set for March, the latest disruption from the Covid-19 pandemic to the city's role as a global business hub.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-16-21 1915ET