Halister News

(Bloomberg) -- Following are forecasts for today’s U.S. economic releases as compiled by Bloomberg News:

• Trade Balance -48.5b; range -49.6b to -43b (64 estimates)
• • "Recent data indicate that dollar strength continues to take a toll": Bloomberg Intelligence
  • Preliminary data on merchandise trade showed the deficit widened to $69.2b in January from $64.4b in December; imports increased; exports decreased

Economic Release Details: {BZGDQOQ% Index ECOD} --MATTHEW MALINOWSKI

(Bloomberg) -- Pioneer Investment Management Ltd., manager of about $250 billion, sees buying opportunity in inflation-linked notes before the European Central Bank meeting Thursday.

• Bonds linked to CPI “offer reasonable value” because pricing reflects today’s inflation rather than the possibility of future price growth, according to Cosimo Marasciulo, Dublin-based European fixed-income head at Pioneer
• ECB will come under pressure to acknowledge euro-area inflation reaching its target 2% possibly with “language signaling that the deposit rate has now bottomed”
• NOTE: Euro-Area Inflation Hits 2 Percent as ECB Debates Policy

Related News and Information: First Word scrolling panel: FIRST First Word newswire: NH BFW To contact the reporter on this story: Cecile Gutscher in London at cgutscher@bloomberg.net

(Bloomberg) -- Monetary board has approved an update to anti-money laundering rules allowing financial institutions to conduct electronic “know-your-customer” procedures like Skype verification, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla tells reporters in Manila.  

• Banks set to sign memorandum of agreement this month to allow for easier electronic funds transfer and pave way for increased use of electronic money in transactions
• Monetary Board also approved standards for business contingency management plan, which banks will be required to submit

--RENE VOLLGRAAFF