Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey called for the world's financial powers, led by the United States and China, to avoid economic nationalism in a speech released three days before Donald Trump is due to be sworn in as U.

The Bank of England launched on Tuesday a new financial stability tool that insurers and pension funds can use during periods of turbulence in Britain's government bond market.

The US Senate’s confirmation hearing for Mr Bessent last week as Treasury Secretary was remarkable, as much of the discussion revolved around China’s rapid economic grow

Annual inflation, harmonized to EU standards, stood at 2.9% in January, rising one decimal point from a month earlier, Spain's statistics agency said Thursday. Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected the rate to come in at 2.5%.

The UK's stock indexes closed higher, driven by technology and finance sectors. The FTSE 100 gained 0.3%, while FTSE 250 slipped slightly. Gains were also supported by U.S. and European chip stock recoveries and significant rises in financial and automotive shares.

Japan's Nikkei was up about half a percent at the midday break, on track to snap a three-day losing run. Australia's stock benchmark gained 0.9%, with additional momentum from a mild inflation print that boosted the odds for a rate cut when the Reserve Bank meets next month.

The UK's main stock indexes closed higher on Wednesday boosted by gains in the technology and financial sectors, while the pound slipped after Finance Minister Rachel Reeves's dovish remarks on resetting ties with the European Union and the United States.

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has maintained the monetary policy rate at 27 percent following its first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of 2025.

The Pound Sterling rises as UK Rachel Reeves presents a strong economic agenda. Investors focus on the Fed’s monetary policy meeting in which the central bank will interest rates steady. The White House reported that US President Trump was still considering tariffs on Canada and Mexico on February 1.

The Reeves plan will fail because it's based on the belief that Government generates growth rather than the animal spirits of a vibrant private sector - spirits she snuffed out in her first Budget.

Economic strength in the US relative to other major economies is likely to drive contrasting paths for interest rates worldwide.

Key Fed decision: The central bank’s expected decision today is the first following Trump’s return to office, which has been marked by a flurry of executive orders as the US president seeks to impose his agenda on Washington.