Eurozone December final consumer confidence -13.9 vs -13.9 prelim 0 (0)

Latest data released by Eurostat – 7 January 2021
The thing to watch here is that much like how confidence/optimism grew during the summer last year, it could easily falter again if the timeline of the vaccine rollout is misconstrued and if the virus situation continues to worsen in the meantime.

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UK PM Johnson: The end of lockdown will not be a big bang, will be a slow unravelling 0 (0)

Remarks by UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, in parliament
– Schools will be the first to reopen
– That moment may come some time in mid-February
Johnson is largely trying to manage expectations as the UK sees a national lockdown until 15 February at the very least currently. There is plenty of talk that this could even extend

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Heads up: BOE governor Bailey to speak later in the day 0 (0)

Bailey is scheduled to speak at 1400 GMT today
He will be presenting the financial stability report (FSR) to the Treasury select committee in parliament later in the day. Hence, given the backdrop, I wouldn’t expect him to touch on monetary policy all too much. But just a heads up in case.

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German health minister says expects Moderna coronavirus vaccine to be approved today 0 (0)

Comments by German health minister, Jens Spahn
This has been in the works for a while now, with the EMA expected to announce its decision some time today. They have sped up its usual authorisation procedures after having come under pressure from bloc members amid the messy vaccine rollout.

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UK’s Sunak: Will set out next stage of economic response in March 0 (0)

Comments by UK finance minister, Rishi Sunak
– March budget will be excellent opportunity to take stock
– Will lay out next steps on virus support measures at March budget
This follows the earlier of additional grants totaling £4.6 billion to aid businesses amid the third national lockdown in the UK.

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Heads up: UK PM Johnson to hold media conference later today at 1700 GMT 0 (0)

Boris Johnson to brief the media later in the day
I don’t think much else needs to be said following the national lockdown announcement yesterday . But we’ll see what else Johnson has in store for the public as the UK begins the seven-week lockdown; restrictions set to be reviewed next on 15 February.

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Gold stays buoyed to start the new year 0 (0)

Gold held off the dollar advance from yesterday and stays in a good spot above $1,940 in trading today
A surge in ETFs was part of the reason bolstering gold to start the new year, as holdings in SPDR Gold Shares increased by 1.5% – the biggest daily jump since September.
That shows that real money flows

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