The U.S. and China may be nearing a tentative, partial trade agreement but the IMF’s new leader has warned the trade truce won’t be enough to boost global growth.
Another ongoing dispute may also be nearing a resolution, with the U.K. and EU agreeing a Brexit deal, though British MPs still have to approve it.
But the U.S. has confirmed tariffs on $7.5 billion worth of European goods will take effect on Friday, proving that geopolitical tensions are here to stay.
Hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio, in our call of the day, says the global economy is in a “great sag” and the world has parallels to the 1930s.
“This is the best we are going to get, this moment. The cycle is not going to continue forever,” he said at the International Monetary Fund’s annual meetings in Washington.
The founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, said he didn’t see a market or economic crash on the horizon but a “great sag.”
He added that there was little central banks could do in terms of monetary policy to stop the downturn as they had less room to maneuver.
“Europe is at the limitation of that, Japan is (too) and the U.S. doesn’t have much to go on for that.”
He pointed out that the world’s widening wealth gap and a rising power — China — challenging an incumbent power, the U.S., had similarities to the 1930s.
Dalio said more policy coordination was needed but feared that could prove tricky in a world characterized by rising geopolitical tensions and polarization.
The market
After the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, +0.57% edged up 24 points on Thursday, Dow futures YM00, +0.00% are slightly down, along with Nasdaq futures NQ00, +0.01% and S&P 500 futures ES00, -0.02% .
Europe stocks SXXP, +0.16% are down, while Asian markets ADOW, +0.00% fell on news China’s GDP growth slipped to its slowest pace since the first quarter of 1992.
The pound GBPUSD, +0.0156% has nudged higher against the dollar after the U.K. and EU agreed a Brexit deal.
The buzz
China’s economy grew by 6% in the third quarter, its slowest growth since the beginning of 1992. Growth cooled in all sectors despite some recovery in industrial production and retail sales at the end of the quarter.
American Express reported better-than-expected third quarter profit and revenue, citing higher card member spending, but shares dropped after an initial surge.
Coca-Cola’s stock rose after the company beat quarterly sales estimates, led by a boost in smaller soft drink cans and, including its zero-sugar sodas.
Federal Reserve Vice Chair Richard Clarida will deliver a speech at the CFA Institute conference in Boston, the last major speech before the next Fed interest rate decision.
A trade deal between the U.S. and China won’t be enough to produce strong global growth, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) new leader Kristalina Georgieva warned on Thursday.
As one trade conflict seems to be cooling, another is set to heat up as the U.S. confirmed that tariffs on $7.5 billion worth of European goods, such as cheese and whiskey, will take effect on Friday.
French car manufacturer Renault cut full-year revenue guidance and lowered profitability forecasts, blaming struggles in Turkey and Argentina, sending the stock tumbling 12%.
The quote
U.S. President Donald Trump on Turkey attacking the Kurds — “Sometimes you have to let them fight, like two kids in a lot. You have to let them fight, and then pull them apart.”
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