The Bank of Russia unexpectedly maintained its key interest rate at a record-high 21% , defying analysts’ expectations of another significant hike as inflation remains stubbornly elevated. The decision marks a shift toward a more measured approach in balancing economic growth and price stability. Key Details Inflation Concerns: Annual inflation climbed to 8.9% in November, well above the central bank’s 4% target , with inflation expectations reaching 13.9% in December. Policy Rationale: The central bank cited the significant tightening of monetary conditions after October’s 200-basis point hike as sufficient to resume disinflationary processes. Governor Elvira Nabiullina emphasized avoiding both economic overheating and severe slowdowns. Economic Overheating: Elevated government spending on the war in Ukraine and social programs, coupled with labor shortages and rising wages, have fueled strong domestic demand, exacerbating price pressures...
Stellantis NV has revised its profit margin forecast for 2024, citing higher costs to revive its Jeep and Dodge brands in the US and a broader global slowdown in the automotive sector. The company now expects an adjusted operating income margin of 5.5% to 7%, down from its earlier prediction of double digits.
In addition, industrial free cash flow is forecast to be between negative €5 billion and negative €10 billion, a significant shift from previous guidance of positive cash flow. The automaker is accelerating efforts to reduce inventory in the US, aiming for fewer than 330,000 vehicles by the end of the year, ahead of its initial target of early 2025.
This adjustment from Stellantis follows similar guidance cuts from European automakers, including Volkswagen AG, which issued its second profit warning recently due to sluggish sales and increasing competition from Chinese rivals.
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