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Italy Keeps Investment Grade Rating by Fitch Amid Pandemic

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4 years ago

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(Bloomberg) — Italy’s credit grade was left unchanged for now by Fitch Ratings, which said the rating is supported by factors including a diversified and high value-added economy, even amid the “significant impact” of the pandemic.

The BBB- rating is just one notch above junk, though Fitch’s stable outlook means there’s no immediate risk of a downgrade. The country’s financial position has been severely weakened by the cost of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

The economy will start to recover next year, based on the assumption that lock-down measures will be gradually lifted and a vaccination program will start in the first quarter, but annual growth figures will be still heavily influenced by base effects, Fitch said in a statement Friday.

Italy started 2020 already encumbered with a significant debt load, a situation made worse because of the virus and the various shutdowns needed to contain the disease.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte’s government has tried to shield the country’s fragile economy with over 100 billion euros ($121.4 billion) in stimulus spending so far. That’s pushed debt close to 160% of output. The government’s worst-case scenario sees gross domestic product falling 10.5% this year and rising only 1.8% in 2021.

Fitch forecasts a deficit of 8% of GDP in 2021 and 6.6% of GDP in 2022, the ratings company said Friday.

Despite the dire fiscal position, Italy’s sovereign borrowing costs have fallen this year. Its 10-year yields are near a record low thanks largely to the European Central Bank’s huge bond-buying effort. That stimulus program may get expanded again next week, providing more space for governments with stretched finances.

 

Source: – BNN

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S&P/TSX composite up more than 100 points, U.S. stock markets mixed

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1 day ago

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October 16, 2024

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TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 100 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in base metal and utility stocks, while U.S. stock markets were mixed.

The S&P/TSX composite index was up 103.40 points at 24,542.48.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 192.31 points at 42,932.73. The S&P 500 index was up 7.14 points at 5,822.40, while the Nasdaq composite was down 9.03 points at 18,306.56.

The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.44 cents US on Tuesday.

The November crude oil contract was down 71 cents at US$69.87 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down eight cents at US$2.42 per mmBTU.

The December gold contract was up US$7.20 at US$2,686.10 an ounce and the December copper contract was up a penny at US$4.35 a pound.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Economy

S&P/TSX up more than 200 points, U.S. markets also higher

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6 days ago

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October 11, 2024

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TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 200 points in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets were also headed higher.

The S&P/TSX composite index was up 205.86 points at 24,508.12.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 336.62 points at 42,790.74. The S&P 500 index was up 34.19 points at 5,814.24, while the Nasdaq composite was up 60.27 points at 18.342.32.

The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.71 cents US on Thursday.

The November crude oil contract was down 15 cents at US$75.70 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down two cents at US$2.65 per mmBTU.

The December gold contract was down US$29.60 at US$2,668.90 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents at US$4.47 a pound.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Economy

S&P/TSX composite little changed in late-morning trading, U.S. stock markets down

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1 week ago

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October 10, 2024

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TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was little changed in late-morning trading as the financial sector fell, but energy and base metal stocks moved higher.

The S&P/TSX composite index was up 0.05 of a point at 24,224.95.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 94.31 points at 42,417.69. The S&P 500 index was down 10.91 points at 5,781.13, while the Nasdaq composite was down 29.59 points at 18,262.03.

The Canadian dollar traded for 72.71 cents US compared with 73.05 cents US on Wednesday.

The November crude oil contract was up US$1.69 at US$74.93 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was up a penny at US$2.67 per mmBTU.

The December gold contract was up US$14.70 at US$2,640.70 an ounce and the December copper contract was up two cents at US$4.42 a pound.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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