EU News

Pretty much all bad:

European Unemployment Unexpectedly Increases to 12-Year High

Trichet Says Fiscal Sustainability Fosters Confidence, Growth

By that he means the austerity measures/deficit cutting which only makes things worse.

Trichet Says ECB ‘Fiercely Independent,’ Stable Prices Mandate

Just doing his job.

Trichet sees need for ‘budgetary federation’

He’s sees this as a watchdog to keep deficits down.

Trichet Says ECB Won’t Tolerate Budget Indiscipline Any Longer

He’s concerned about the secondary mkt purchases of greek debt meaning even this very modest support is in question.

ECB’s Noyer Says Rating Firms Aggravating Crisis

Weber Says ECB Bond Purchases Musn’t Exceed ‘Tight Limits’

More talk on limiting ECB purchases.

ECB’s Stark Says Bank May Start Withdrawing Liquidity in July

Doesn’t matter but indicates their attitude.

Nowotny Sees No Risk of Double-Dip Recession due to Austerity

That’s the entire source of the risk of a double dip recession.

Bank of Italy: EU euro defense package can’t last

And calls for a return to the 3% deficit limits.

ECB: Banks Will Suffer Considerable Loan Losses In 2010, 2011

Bank deposits are insured only by the national govts that are already seeing their funding threatened.

ECB warns of ‘hazardous contagion’

True, but they have their channels totally confused.

Trichet Says Second-Quarter Growth May Be Better Than Expected

European Manufacturing Growth Slowed More Than Estimated in May

Germans, ECB Spar Over Bond Plan

After Debt Crisis, New Tension Between ECB, Germany

Survey suggests Germans are unhappy with Merkel

Merkel Says Budget Deficit Looks ‘Moderate’ Versus Spain, U.K.

Still doesn’t get how the UK comp isn’t applicable.

Hypo Real Estate gets more loan guarantees

Spain presses for labor market reform deal

Fitch downgrades Spain’s credit rating

European Loans Post First Annual Increase in Eight Months

German Unemployment Falls Twice as Much as Forecast

German Retail Sales Rose in April on Declining Unemployment

French New Car Sales Fall 12% in May, After 12 Monthly Gains

Italian Unemployment Climbs as Recovery Fails to Create Jobs

China News

Not looking good here.
China is known to front load lending into the first half of the year.
So this year could see an exceptionally slow second half.

The two external threats to US well being cited earlier in the year, China and Europe, are looking very problematic.


· China manufacturing slows in May as demand weakens

· China told property risk is worse than in US

· Economist sees bubble in housing market

· China to reform resource and property taxes

· Home sales plummet, frosty year predicted

· Banks running out of lending quota

· Banks suspend trust loans to local govt finances

· Shenzhen to Raise Minimum Wage on July 1 by 10%