Spot gold fell 1% to $2,690.81. COMEX silver futures fell 1.5% in the day to $32.47 per ounce.The European Central Bank expects inflation to cool down faster. It is reported that the European Central Bank now expects inflation to cool down slightly faster than the forecast in September. It currently predicts that the average inflation rate in 2024 and 2025 will be 2.4% and 2.1% respectively, compared with the previous forecast of 2.5% and 2.2% respectively. In the statement, the European Central Bank also said: "The anti-inflation process is on the right track."Royal Bank of Canada: The European Central Bank may move towards negative real interest rate. Royal Bank of Canada BlueBay Asset Management said that the European Central Bank may cut the interest rate below 2% next year, which the agency estimated to be a short-term neutral interest rate. Kaspar Hense, senior portfolio manager of the institution, said in a report that the core inflation rate is expected to be around 2.5% in the first half of 2025, which means that the real interest rate will be negative. He said that under the influence of unfavorable factors such as trade, continuous competitive pressure from other countries and financial problems, this should play a moderate supporting role in the economy.
Market news: the agency said that the number of people applying for unemployment benefits in the United States jumped to the highest level in two months, but it was still at a low level.Central Economic Work Conference: Give play to the traction role of economic system reform and promote the landmark reform measures to be effective. The Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 11 to 12. The meeting proposed to complete the deepening and upgrading of state-owned enterprise reform with high quality and introduce the private economy promotion law. Carry out special actions to standardize law enforcement involving enterprises. Formulate guidelines for the construction of a unified national market. Strengthen supervision and promote the healthy development of platform economy. Make overall plans to promote the reform of the fiscal and taxation system and increase local independent financial resources. Deepen the comprehensive reform of investment and financing in the capital market, open up the blocking points of medium and long-term funds entering the market, and enhance the inclusiveness and adaptability of the capital market system. (Xinhua News Agency)Central Economic Work Conference: Support major economic provinces to take the lead, and encourage other regions to develop their strengths according to local conditions. The Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing on December 11th and 12th. The meeting proposed to strengthen the implementation of regional strategies and enhance the vitality of regional development. Give play to the superposition effect of regional coordinated development strategy, regional major strategy and main functional area strategy, and actively cultivate new growth poles. Enhance the innovation ability and radiation-driven role of areas with economic development advantages. Support major economic provinces to take the lead, and encourage other regions to develop their strengths according to local conditions. Deepen industrial cooperation in the eastern, central, western and northeastern regions, and vigorously develop the marine economy and the Bay Area economy. (Xinhua News Agency)
Germany's current account surplus in October was 12.497 billion euros.Government statement: British Prime Minister Stamer will attend the informal meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on February 3rd.Dutch International Bank: The European Central Bank will continue to cut interest rates in the new year, Carsten Brzeski, macro director of Dutch International Bank, wrote in a report to customers that the European Central Bank will take action again to reduce borrowing costs. The euro zone central bank cut interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday, in line with expectations. Inflation is still a worrying problem, but the resistance to growth is even greater, especially the financial crisis in France and the threat posed by the US tariff on European goods. He said that with the change in the tone of the European Central Bank, the bank may cut interest rates again in the new year.