The FED not only held unchanged its rates in its last FOMC meeting last week. It plunged investors into utter disarray by delivering an extremely dovish message on future action. The prospect of a hike this year loses steam while bewildered markets pull back to the waiting game.
The EBA published yesterday the results of its regular health checks on banking, focused on the capital, leverage, liquidity and net stable ratios at the close of 2014. On average results fall comfortably inside the stringent Basel III requirements.
The Fed’s wavering over addressing the matter of its announced rate hike has badly affected the markets, increasing their volatility. It should act now, curbing any further speculation, and disregard recent calls from the IMF and the World Bank to further delay this move.
The Chinese authoritiess’ failure to prevent a stock exchange meltdown is casting serious doubts on economic prospects and so fuelling further losses.
Spain’s public deficit ranks as the highest one in the eurozone, with the exception of Cyprus. Up to now, a set of exceptional circumstances has allowed for a stance of benign neglect at visible cost. But dangers loom ahead if fiscal rectitude is not firmly enforced.
MADRID | July 21, 2015 | By JP Marín Arrese | Once the eurozone has overcome its Greek imbroglio, at least temporarily, the next unsettling move will come from the Fed’s widely expected rate hike.
MADRID | July 20, 2015 | By JP Marín Arrese | Emergency loans to ensure Greece pays back its sovereign commitments in the coming weeks might fail to save it from the dire financial collapse it faces.
MADRID | July 14, 2015 | By JP Marín Arrese | The Greek deal has dashed any hopes the eurozone might evolve into a more inclusive area.
MADRID | July 7, 2015 | By JP Marín Arrese | Taking a shot at sorting out some kind of Grexit to solve the current mess seems unavoidable. Despite the efforts both parties have said they are ready to make to try to keep Greece on board, there is little chance of reaching an agreement in time. Temporary suspension from the eurozone might turn out to be the only plausible answer.
MADRID | July 6, 2015 | By J.P. Marin-Arrese | As people gathered last night in Syntagma, hailing the crushing victory in the referendum, few seemed aware of its tremendous consequences. Today, as banks remain closed and no cash is available, they will get a nasty taste of what remains at stake for them.