KBC Market Research Desk
KBC Bank
US equities trade with small losses amid another bunch of stronger corporate earnings. In Europe, losses are close to 1%. Mounting unrest in eastern Ukraine spoils risk sentiment.
Ukrainian forces killed up to five pro‐Moscow separatists in the east of the country, the Interior Minister said today, which was followed by stark warnings of Putin who said that there would be consequences for Ukraine’s interim government as it launched a military crackdown on armed pro‐Russian rebels. Russia’s Defence Minister said this afternoon they will hold military exercises near the border with Ukraine.
ECB President Draghi said today that the ECB could embark on a broad‐based asset buying plan if the outlook for euro zone inflation worsens and added that the exchange rate is an increasingly important factor in their assessment of the outlook for price stability.
US initial jobless claims surprised on the upside of expectations, edging up from 305 000 to 329 000 in the week ending the 19th of April. The Labour Department said there were no special factors, but it is difficult to adjust data around the Easter holidays.
Turkey’s central bank decided today to keep its main interest rates unchanged, resisting political pressures for more rate cuts, saying they will keep policy tight until the inflation outlook improves significantly. .
This non-exhaustive information is based on short-term forecasts for expected developments on the financial markets. KBC Bank cannot guarantee that these forecasts will materialize and cannot be held liable in any way for direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this document or its content. The document is not intended as personalized investment advice and does not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell or hold investments described herein. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon sources KBC believes to be reliable, KBC does not guarantee the accuracy of this information, which may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions and estimates constitute a KBC judgment as of the data of the report and are subject to change without notice.
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