Bloomberg Surveillance

A gauge of pound strength rose to its highest level since 2016, supported by resilient UK economic data and expectations for interest-rate hikes.

The Bank of England has queried market participants about data center projects that are being financed without a tenant in place to pay rent.

Mexico is forecast to keep interest rates unchanged on Thursday as faster economic growth and inflation reduce the case for further easing.

Norway’s central bank kept borrowing costs steady as expected and reiterated the option of raising them again if required to curb inflation.

Spain will raise its minimum wage by 5.3% in 2027, a change that will affect 2.5 million people, according to the labor ministry.

Sweden’s core inflation rate unexpectedly slowed to its weakest pace in six months, denting arguments for further interest-rate hikes in the short term while most analysts saw the price development as largely temporary.

German factory orders partially rebounded, a sign of resilience in Europe’s biggest economy against a volatile global backdrop.

Malaysia’s central bank kept interest rates unchanged on Thursday but signaled it would be ready to act as price pressures grow.

Reserve Bank of Australia Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser rejected suggestions his hawkish comments last month might have boxed the interest rate-setting board into tightening after he moved markets significantly.

South Africa’s debt-to-gross domestic product ratio was revised sharply lower, the National Treasury said, after a regular exercise to update the data showed the economy was 5.3% larger last year than previously estimated.

The Bank of England looks ready to raise interest rates by a quarter point to 4%, its first hike in more than three years.

Artificial intelligence skills are no longer optional for the hundreds of thousands of young Britons seeking their first job, according to data from recruitment platforms that show how the technology is deciding who gets a foothold in the toughest labor market in decades.

The Czech central bank will probably raise interest rates for the second time this year to tame inflation risks from robust domestic demand and higher energy prices.

Indonesia’s economy unexpectedly accelerated in the third quarter as government stimulus helped household consumption and investment withstand challenging global conditions.

China offers a market for countries and businesses around the world, and would be importing more products if there weren’t restrictions on some high-tech items, Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang told an imports fair in Shanghai on Thursday.

Yardeni Research President Ed Yardeni explains why political oversight and regional resistance to data centers are unlikely to derail overall artificial intelligence capital spending. He notes that while some states may oppose new facilities, others will welcome the projects as an economic opportunity, ensuring development continues. (Source: Bloomberg)

A Chinese local government financing vehicle in the southern city of Zhuhai has been seeking to reassure investors after missed debt payments by another firm there sparked concerns, people familiar with the matter said.

Development lenders, governments and regulators need to deepen African markets so that every dollar they deploy can attract $10 more of commercial capital, an official at the World Bank’s private-sector arm said.

Australia’s trade surplus is on track to slump to its lowest level in a decade this year, as chips and servers needed for data centers add to a surge in imports from China while energy costs spiral higher.