European members of NATO are considering increasing the proportion of military expenditure. On the 12th, several European officials reported that some European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are considering increasing the proportion of national defense expenditure in their gross domestic product (GDP), from the current 2% to 3%.The rise in food prices has pushed the wholesale inflation in the United States to accelerate unexpectedly. The prospect of interest rate cuts next year is uncertain. The wholesale inflation rate in the United States unexpectedly rose in November, and the soaring egg price masked the moderate impact of price increases in other regions. According to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Thursday, the producer price index (PPI) rose by 0.4% month-on-month, the biggest increase since June, and economists surveyed by Bloomberg expected a median of 0.2%. PPI increased by 3% compared with the same period of last year, the biggest increase since the beginning of 2023. The core PPI excluding food and energy increased by 0.2% from the previous month and 3.4% from the same period of last year. The CPI report released on Wednesday showed that the core inflation rate in the United States remained firm for the fourth consecutive month. This series of data brought uncertainty to the outlook of prices and interest rates next year, especially when Trump threatened to raise import tariffs after taking office. Economists pay close attention to the PPI report because several of its breakdown data will affect the personal consumption expenditure price index (PCE) that the Federal Reserve is concerned about. Although PCE data will not be released before the Fed policy meeting next week, central bank officials will have a good understanding of the data according to CPI and PPI reports. The market generally expects the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates by 25 basis points next week, but the pace of interest rate cuts is expected to slow down next year.The US Secretary of State met with Jordan's King and Deputy Prime Minister to discuss the situation in Gaza and Syria. On December 12, local time, the State Council issued a statement saying that US Secretary of State Blinken met with Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Assafadi and Jordan's King Abdullah II in Aqaba that day, and discussed issues such as reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, ensuring the release of all detainees, providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in all parts of Gaza and the situation in Syria. Blinken said that the United States supports the Syrian-led political transition. Blinken said that Syria must take all measures to protect civilians and promote the entry of humanitarian aid. Abdullah II reiterated that Jordan respects the choice of the Syrian people, but also stressed the importance of maintaining Syria's security and protecting its citizens. In addition, Abdullah II stressed that the first step to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire in the region is to stop Israeli attacks on Gaza. Abdullah II pointed out that achieving this goal requires immediate and serious international action. The meeting also discussed efforts to strengthen the humanitarian response to Gaza. Talking about the situation in the West Bank, Abdullah II warned the danger of Israel's unilateral actions and condemned Israel's continued attacks on Jerusalem and other places. He once again stressed that the "two-state solution" is the only way to achieve a just and comprehensive peace and the key to preventing the region from falling into more conflicts. (CCTV News)
The European Central Bank cut interest rates for the third time in a row to boost the sluggish economy. The European Central Bank cut interest rates for the third time in a row on Thursday, and hinted that with inflation approaching 2% and the economy in trouble, it will further cut interest rates next year. The deposit interest rate was lowered by 25 basis points to 3%, which was in line with the expectations of all but one of the analysts surveyed. This makes the total easing range since June reach 100 basis points. In its statement, the European Central Bank abandoned the wording that the policy would be "fully restrictive for a necessary long time", indicating that its position has changed. "The Management Committee is determined to ensure that the inflation rate is sustainably stabilized at the medium-term target of 2%." The European Central Bank said on Thursday. "The central bank will adopt a method of relying on data and meeting one after another to determine the appropriate monetary policy stance."Central Economic Work Conference: Enhance people's sense of happiness and security, and implement employment support programs for key areas, key industries, urban and rural grassroots and small and medium-sized enterprises. The Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 11 to 12. The meeting stressed that efforts should be made to ensure and improve people's livelihood and enhance people's sense of happiness and security. Implement employment support plans for key areas, key industries, urban and rural grassroots and small and medium-sized enterprises to promote the employment of key groups. Strengthen the protection of workers' rights and interests in flexible employment and new employment forms. We will implement policies to help industries and employment, ensure that large-scale return to poverty does not occur, and ensure the basic livelihood of people in need. Promote the high-quality and balanced development of compulsory education and solidly promote the expansion of high-quality undergraduate courses. Implement the medical and health foundation project and formulate policies to promote fertility. Develop community-supported home-based care for the aged and expand inclusive care for the aged. Adhere to and develop the "Fengqiao experience" in the new era and strengthen the public security system. (Xinhua News Agency)The dollar index DXY fell more than 20 points in the short term and is now reported at 106.58. Non-US currencies collectively rose, with GBP/USD of GBP rising by more than 20 points, EUR/USD of EUR/USD of EUR/USD rising by about 20 points and USD/JPY of USD/JPY rising by about 50 points.
According to HKEx documents, iFLYTEK Medical Technology Co., Ltd. passed the listing hearing of HKEx.Australia plans to force technology giants to pay for news content. The Australian government announced a new tax plan on the 12th, which will force technology giants to pay for news content to Australian media companies, otherwise they will face the risk of being charged higher taxes. According to the Australian government's plan, all digital platforms with an annual income of more than A $250 million (about US$ 160 million) in Australia must reach a commercial agreement with Australian media organizations on the use of news content, otherwise they will face the risk of being charged higher taxes. (Xinhua News Agency)Central Economic Work Conference: Appropriately raise the basic pension for retirees and raise the basic pension for urban and rural residents. The Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 11th to 12th. The meeting decided to do a good job in the following key tasks next year. It is mentioned that we should vigorously boost consumption, improve investment efficiency and expand domestic demand in all directions. We will implement special actions to boost consumption, promote low-and middle-income groups to increase income and reduce burdens, and enhance their spending power, willingness and level. Appropriately raise the basic pension for retirees, raise the basic pension for urban and rural residents, and raise the financial subsidy standard for medical insurance for urban and rural residents. Strengthen the expansion and implement the "two new" policies, innovate diversified consumption scenarios, expand service consumption, and promote the development of cultural tourism. Actively develop the starting economy, the ice and snow economy and the silver-haired economy. Strengthen top-down organization and coordination, and give greater support to the "two-fold" project. Appropriately increase investment in the central budget. Strengthen the coordination between finance and finance, and effectively promote social investment with government investment. Plan major projects in the Tenth Five-Year Plan as soon as possible. Vigorously implement urban renewal. Implement special actions to reduce the logistics cost of the whole society. (Xinhua News Agency)
Strategy guide
12-13
Strategy guide 12-13