#central-banks

#central-banks

The G20 finance ministers have reached a consensus emphasizing the need for central banks to remain independent in response to months of criticism from President Trump. In their joint declaration, they identified crucial global economic challenges including trade disputes, supply chain disruptions, ongoing wars, and natural disasters. This marked the first joint statement since last October, reflecting a collective commitment to policies aimed at ensuring price stability. They reiterated that adjustments would be made based on data, highlighting the importance of central bank independence.

"I think that we are falling prey to some confusion between money, means of payment, and payment infrastructure, and that is accelerated..."

Gold remains a sought-after asset as geopolitical tensions rise and central banks bolster their reserves, signaling a strong return of the precious metal in 2025.

The markets saw volatility as participants reacted to Wednesday's FOMC decision and other G10 policies, leading to a cautious approach toward riskier assets.

The figures from the latest US retail sales report were mixed, showing a weak overall growth of 0.2% MoM against contrasting data that suggests consumer resilience.