The investor outlook in Germany is poised for its first drop in six months amid concerns about energy costs in Europe’s largest economy, according to analysts.

“Since October, however, the ‘fuel discount’, a reduction in energy tax, has once again been in effect in Germany,” Helaba said in a note. “This helps to somewhat mitigate the negative impacts of higher energy prices.”

However, Helaba warned that the discount won’t be enough for an improvement in the outlook for the next six months as measured by German economics institute ZEW. An analysts’ poll predicted that the forward-looking economic sentiment number from the thinktank is expected to fall to 32.0 points from 34.7 in September, which was a fifth straight rise. (LS – Continue Reading)

President Trump wants to hold a trilateral summit with Chinese President Xi and Russian President Putin in China next month to discuss "denuclearisation" — but not necessarily Ukraine.

Why it matters: Such a summit between the leaders of the US, China and Russia would be unprecedented.

Trump has been talking for two years about his aspiration to reach a deal with Russia and China to reduce the number of nuclear weapons. But so far Putin and Xi haven't shown much openness to the idea. (Axios – Continue Reading)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that decisions taken by the United States on the war in Ukraine, including delays in arms shipments and restrictions on intelligence sharing, were "hard to explain."

"Because it all comes down to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's refusal to end this war, and to decisions on the American side that are hard to explain between friends," Zelenskiy said in a meeting with a US congressional delegation.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine had ⁠not received full explanations over limitations placed on the use of the Starshield system needed to stage some drone strikes and defend against Russian attacks, particularly by high-speed jet-powered drones. (RTRS – Continue Reading)

China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged for a 17th consecutive month in October, as policymakers weighed the need to support economic growth against pressure on banks' profitability.

The one-year loan prime rate (LPR) was held at 3.00%, while the five-year LPR remained at 3.50%, according to data on Tuesday. Both rates were in line with market expectations and their previous readings.

The one-year LPR, which serves as the benchmark for most new and outstanding loans, influences borrowing costs for businesses and households. The five-year rate is a reference for mortgages and other longer-term lending. (Inv – Continue Reading)