Analysis: Lagarde's speech increased the market's bet to cut interest rates by 50 basis points. In December, the European Central Bank lowered its economic forecast and inflation forecast. At the press conference, European Central Bank President Lagarde paid attention to the downside risks of economic growth, especially mentioning that trade friction may put pressure on economic growth, and also mentioned that they discussed cutting interest rates by 50 basis points. Therefore, the atmosphere of the whole meeting is biased towards doves. The market then increased its bet on a 50 basis point rate cut after January. Although the possibility of a sharp interest rate cut in January is stable at 30%, the possibility of a 50 basis point interest rate cut in March has increased from 30% before the meeting to 40%, and the possibility of a 50 basis point interest rate cut in April has increased from 0% to 5%.The European Central Bank predicts that inflation will decline in 2025, and the European Central Bank currently predicts that inflation will cool down slightly faster than predicted in September. The bank's latest forecast shows that the average inflation rate in 2024 and 2025 is 2.4% and 2.1% respectively, while the previous forecast is 2.5% and 2.2% respectively. After cutting interest rates by 25 basis points, the European Central Bank said in a statement: "The anti-inflation process is on the right track." The bank said: "Domestic inflation has declined slightly, but it is still at a high level, mainly because wages and prices in some industries are still adapting to the past inflation surge, but there is a great delay." The European Central Bank maintains its inflation forecast of 1.9% in 2026, and predicts that the average inflation rate in 2027 will be 2.1%.The stock price of RIOT platform rose 12% before the market closed. On the news, STARBOARD VALUE took a stake in bitcoin mining company RIOT.
Central Economic Work Conference: Strengthening Expectation Management and Promoting Policy Implementation and Expectation Guidance in Coordination. The Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 11th to 12th. The meeting stressed that it is necessary to coordinate development and safety, do a good job in safety production, and effectively prevent and respond to social security incidents in a timely manner. Strengthen synergy, oppose departmentalism, and form a joint force for implementation. Strengthen the expected management, promote policy implementation and expected guidance in coordination, and enhance policy guidance and influence. At the same time, we should accurately grasp the situation of the world, the country, the party and the society, strengthen strategic planning, and formulate suggestions for the 10 th Five-Year Plan of the Central Committee. (Xinhua News Agency)European Central Bank President Lagarde: Since July 2023, the flexibility of the Emergency Anti-epidemic Bond Purchase Program (PEPP) has not been used, and the transmission protection tool (TPI) has not been discussed.The promotion of "Investing in China" in the Middle East was held in the United Arab Emirates, and the promotion of "Investing in China" in the Middle East and the docking of industrial capital between China and the Middle East were held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, from 11th to 12th. 40 China enterprises from the fields of new energy, advanced manufacturing, biomedicine, information technology, etc. negotiated and docked with more than 70 sovereign wealth funds and investment institutions in the Middle East.
European Central Bank President Lagarde: Economic growth is losing momentum.Novo Nordisk: After the clinical trial results of kidney therapy were released, European regulators gave Ozempic a positive label evaluation.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)