Key Events Around the Globe: Dec 19

U.S. Annual Consumer Price Growth Unexpectedly Slows In November

The annual rate of growth by consumer prices has unexpectedly slowed, according to data released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The Labor Department said consumer prices in November were up by 2.7 percent compared to the same month a year ago. The year-over-year price growth in November reflects a notable slowdown from the 3.0 percent surge in September.

Economists Had Expected the Annual Rate of Growth to Tick up to 3.1 Percent.

ECB Holds Rate Steady Again, Lifts Eurozone Growth Forecasts The European Central Bank left its key interest rate unchanged for the fourth policy session in a row and raised the growth forecasts for the euro area citing support from domestic demand, but the bank also lifted the inflation projection for next year as policymakers expect services inflation to ease more slowly than expected earlier

The Governing Council, led by ECB President Christine Lagarde, decided to hold the benchmark interest rate – the deposit rate, steady at 2 percent on Thursday. The refinancing rate was left unchanged at 2.15 percent and the marginal lending rate at 2.40 percent. The decision was in line with economists’ expectations.
The ECB staff also lifted the euro area growth projection citing a resilient domestic demand. The growth forecast for this year was raised to 1.4 percent from 1.2 percent and that for next year was boosted to 1.2 percent from 1.0 percent. The outlook for 2027 was nudged higher to 1.4 percent from 1.3 percent and the single currency economy is expected to expand at the same pace in the year after

Bank Of England Cuts Rate By 25 Bps

The Bank of England lowered its benchmark rate for the fourth time this year as inflation is expected to fall back towards the target more quickly in the near term and signaled further reductions next year. The Monetary Policy Committee, governed by Andrew Bailey, voted 5-4 to reduce the bank rate by 25 basis points to 3.75 percent, which was the lowest since early 2023.

U.S. Jobless Claims Decrease Roughly In Line With Estimates

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits declined roughly in line with economist estimates in the week ended December 13th. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims fell to 224,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week’s revised level of 237,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to slip to 225,000 from the 236,000 originally reported for the previous week.

Japan November Inflation Climbs 2.9% On Year

Overall consumer prices in Japan were up 2.9 percent on year in November, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said on Friday. That was in line with expectations and down from 3.0 percent in October. On a monthly basis, inflation was unchanged at 0.4 percent. Core CPI was up 3.0 percent on year matching forecasts and unchanged from the October reading.

Source – HSL Prime Research, Prime Daily – 19^th Dec 2025

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