CARACAS, May 23- Venezuela is slipping into high inflation and economic stagnation this year due to a shortage of hard currency and a decade-long weakening of domestic industry, the head of the country's main business group Fedecamaras said.
ADDIS ABABA, May 23- Ethiopia's huge public spending has created one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, but volatile inflation, balance of payments pressures and a stifled private sector raise questions over its sustainability, the International Monetary Fund said.
LONDON, May 23- The Federal Reserve should stick with its asset-buying programme and adjust the pace depending on how economic data comes in, a top policymaker at the U.S. central bank said on Thursday.
*After huge flows, Mexico preparing for Fed withdrawal. MEXICO CITY, May 22- Mixed signals from the U.S. economy are clouding the growth outlook for Mexico and it needs to be ready for the shocks that could accompany a possible withdrawal of U.S. monetary stimulus, Finance Minister Luis Videgaray said on Wednesday.
SINGAPORE, May 23- Singapore's central bank said on Thursday it expects core inflation to be close to 2 percent in 2013, within its target range of 1.5 to 2.5 percent. Ong Chong Tee, deputy managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, said he expects core inflation to be "edging towards 2 percent."
WASHINGTON, May 22- The Federal Reserve's monetary stimulus is helping the U.S. economy recover but the central bank needs to see further signs of traction before taking its foot off the gas, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday.
WASHINGTON, May 22- The Federal Reserve's monetary stimulus is helping the U.S. economy recover but the U.S. central bank needs to see further signs of traction before taking its foot off the gas, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday.
*Fed buys up to $1.75 bln in long-dated Treasuries. NEW YORK, May 22- Treasury debt prices fell on Wednesday with benchmark yields briefly rising above 2 percent as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke kept alive market worries that the U.S. central bank might slow its bond purchases later this year if the economy improves further.
WASHINGTON, May 22- The Federal Reserve's monetary stimulus is helping the U.S. economy recover but the central bank needs to see further signs of traction before taking its foot off the gas, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday.
*Investors to focus on Bernanke's remarks before Congress. NEW YORK, May 22- U.S. Treasuries prices were little changed on Wednesday as investors awaited possible hints from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on whether the U.S. central bank might slow its purchases of bonds this year.
TOKYO, May 22- The Bank of Japan kept policy steady on Wednesday despite concerns over recent volatility in bond market, saying growth is starting to pick up even as risks loomed from an uncertain global outlook. BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda will hold a news conference from 0630 GMT with his comments expected to come out any time after 0715 GMT.
NEW YORK, May 21- U.S. Benchmark yields edged up, flirting with 2 percent, which was their highest level since mid-March, after Wall Street stocks touched new highs and nicked the appeal of low-yielding U.S. government debt. There is no reason to bid it before Bernanke, "said Eric Green, global head of rates and currency research and strategy at TD Securities in New York.
*Government upgrades economic outlook for 1st time in 2 months. TOKYO, May 20- The Japanese government upgraded its assessment of the economy on Monday, as emerging signs of an upturn in exports and factory output added to growing evidence that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's aggressive polices are beginning to reignite growth.