Spot gold hit $2,700 per ounce, down 0.65% in the day. COMEX gold futures fell more than 1.00% in the day and are now quoted at $2,729.00 per ounce.European Central Bank President Lagarde: Since July 2023, the flexibility of the Emergency Anti-epidemic Bond Purchase Program (PEPP) has not been used, and the transmission protection tool (TPI) has not been discussed.Iraqi security forces destroyed eight extremist strongholds in northern Iraq. On December 12, local time, the Iraqi Joint Operations Command issued a statement saying that Iraqi security forces are continuing to track and crack down on members of the extremist organization "Islamic State" in the country. Recently, in the hamlin Mountains in Kirkuk province, Iraqi security forces destroyed eight extremist strongholds, including personnel hiding places and weapons storage facilities. (CCTV News)
European Central Bank President Lagarde: The uncertainty brought by the next US administration is not within the forecast benchmark.The European Central Bank expects inflation to cool down faster. It is reported that the European Central Bank now expects inflation to cool down slightly faster than the forecast in September. It currently predicts that the average inflation rate in 2024 and 2025 will be 2.4% and 2.1% respectively, compared with the previous forecast of 2.5% and 2.2% respectively. In the statement, the European Central Bank also said: "The anti-inflation process is on the right track."Central Economic Work Conference: Give play to the traction role of economic system reform and promote the landmark reform measures to be effective. The Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 11 to 12. The meeting proposed to complete the deepening and upgrading of state-owned enterprise reform with high quality and introduce the private economy promotion law. Carry out special actions to standardize law enforcement involving enterprises. Formulate guidelines for the construction of a unified national market. Strengthen supervision and promote the healthy development of platform economy. Make overall plans to promote the reform of the fiscal and taxation system and increase local independent financial resources. Deepen the comprehensive reform of investment and financing in the capital market, open up the blocking points of medium and long-term funds entering the market, and enhance the inclusiveness and adaptability of the capital market system. (Xinhua News Agency)
Dutch International Bank: The European Central Bank will continue to cut interest rates in the new year, Carsten Brzeski, macro director of Dutch International Bank, wrote in a report to customers that the European Central Bank will take action again to reduce borrowing costs. The euro zone central bank cut interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday, in line with expectations. Inflation is still a worrying problem, but the resistance to growth is even greater, especially the financial crisis in France and the threat posed by the US tariff on European goods. He said that with the change in the tone of the European Central Bank, the bank may cut interest rates again in the new year.The Prime Minister of Qatar and the Iranian Foreign Minister discussed the situation in Syria by telephone. On December 12, local time, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar Mohammed and the Iranian Foreign Minister Alagh made a phone call, focusing on the situation in Syria. The two sides stressed that the international community must take action to prevent Israel from continuing to attack Syria's infrastructure and occupy Syrian territory. The two sides also expressed their willingness to help Syria achieve stability and establish an inclusive political system in line with the wishes of the Syrian people. (CCTV News)Market news: the agency said that the number of people applying for unemployment benefits in the United States jumped to the highest level in two months, but it was still at a low level.