Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
RBA Signals Possible Rate Implications as Inflation Proves More Persistent 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Japan’s Service Sector Sustains Growth Momentum in November 
German Bundesbank Jens Weidman, who has already called for the policymakers at the European Central Bank (ECB) to be brave and be not afraid to hike rates when the situation demands so, likely to step up his criticism of the easy monetary policies of the ECB. In December, the ECB unveiled fresh new stimulus measures that would see the central Bank buying another €540 billion worth of bonds after the current program expires in March. Mr. Weidman voted against the resolution.
Remembering the hyperinflation history of Germany, Mr. Weidman has always been critical of the ECB’s easing, though he defended the direction of the monetary policy of the ECB last year when the central bank was facing sharp criticism from the German lawmakers.
Today German regional inflation readings were published and it showed that the price pressure seems to be gaining the momentum in the biggest economy of the European monetary Union. Prices in Saxony rose by 1.8 percent for the year ending December, by 1.7 percent in Brandenburg (up from 1 percent in November), by 1.9 percent in Hesse (up from 0.8 percent), and by 1.7 percent in Bavaria (up from 0.8 percent).
German 10-year bund has declined from 164.4 to current 163.6.
The national reading is due at 13:00 GMT today.
