EU watchdog: Commission failed in vetting Blackrock climate contract November 25, 2020 The EU watchdog has given the European Commission a slap on the wrist for failing to weigh up possible conflicts of interest when it hired Blackrock to help look into green banking rules. EU ombudsman Emily O’Reilly asked the Commission – the executive branch of the bloc – to consider toughening up its conflict of [...]
Eurozone business activity shrink sharply in November as lockdowns bite November 23, 2020 Eurozone business activity shrink sharply in November as lockdowns bite
Hungary says EU recovery fund spat will be resolved November 20, 2020 Hungary’s Prime Minister has said a dispute over the EU’s €750bn (£670bn) coronavirus recovery fund and budget can be solved, after his government and Poland’s blocked the package at a key meeting. Both Hungary and Poland voted against measures that would allow the €1.8 trillion 2021-2027 budget and recovery fund to become operational, even though [...]
ECB’s Lagarde: EU must release Covid recovery funds ‘without delay’ November 19, 2020 European Central Bank (ECB) president Christine Lagarde has urged EU countries to solve their disagreements over the €750bn (£670bn) recovery fund, amid fears that delays could damage economies facing a tough winter of rising coronavirus cases. Lagarde told the European Parliament that the budget package – which amounts to around €1.8 trillion overall – “must [...]
Hungary and Poland veto EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund November 16, 2020 Hungary and Poland have effectively vetoed the European Union’s budget and coronavirus recovery package in response to plans to make access to funds conditional on adhering to the rule of law. The veto came as top EU officials and countries’ ambassadors today discussed the €1.1 trillion (£990bn) budget, which covers 2021-27, and the €750bn coronavirus [...]
ECB to focus on bond buying and bank liquidity to keep eurozone afloat, says Lagarde November 11, 2020 The European Central Bank (ECB) will focus on emergency bond purchases and cheap loans for banks when it puts together its new stimulus package for the coronavirus-hit eurozone economy, president Christine Lagarde said. Lagarde told the ECB’s annual central banking conference that inflation in the eurozone was now likely to remain negative for longer than [...]
Eurozone manufacturing sector’s recovery continues despite restrictions November 2, 2020 The Eurozone manufacturing sector’s rapid expansion continued in October, driven by a boom in demand for German goods as economies reopened, a survey has shown. However, the manufacturing growth comes against a backdrop of a slowdown in the services sector as coronavirus cases rise and governments impose new restrictions. The IHS Markit manufacturing purchasing managers’ [...]
EU tells banks to comply with sustainability disclosures despite lack of guidance October 30, 2020 The EU has told banks and insurers they must comply with the bloc’s new laws on sustainability-related disclosures from March, even though detailed guidance on how the rules work in practice will not be ready in time. Last year the bloc approved a law designed to increase transparency on how financial institutions consider sustainability risks [...]
Eurozone economy posts record growth but Covid set to knock recovery October 30, 2020 The Eurozone economy handily beat expectations in the third quarter of the year with record growth, although surging coronavirus cases and new lockdowns now look set to knock the recovery off course. Eurozone GDP grew 12.7 per cent in the third quarter, having slumped 11.8 per cent in the April to June period, the EU’s [...]
ECB leaves interest rates unchanged while Eurozone recovery loses momentum October 29, 2020 The European Central Bank (ECB) left interest rates on hold at their record low level, but hinted at further support in December as the eurozone economy grapples with a second wave of coronavirus cases. The central bank said it would “recalibrate its instruments” in response to the fresh wave of Covid-19 infections after its next [...]
