-- 紐約聯邦儲備銀行主席約翰威廉斯週一表示，中東衝突加劇了聯準會價格穩定和充分就業目標面臨的風險，這可能導致通膨在一段時間內居高不下。 威廉斯在紐約市一個研討會的事先準備好的演講中指出，美以與伊朗的戰爭為全球經濟帶來了「重大且難以預測的風險」。這場衝突可能引發「更大規模、更廣泛的供應衝擊，對通膨和經濟活動造成更嚴重的負面影響」。 這場始於2月底的戰爭，由於霍爾木茲海峽的運輸中斷，導致能源價格飆升。週一，伊朗向阿聯酋發射飛彈和無人機，原油價格上漲，這再次引發了人們對該地區脆弱的停火協議的擔憂，該協議此前剛剛暫停了該地區的敵對行動。 威廉斯說：「目前，未來難以預測，我們雙方面臨的風險都在增加。」他預計今年美國通膨率約為3%，明年將降至聯準會2%的目標水平，「因為關稅和能源價格的影響將逐漸消退」。 上週公佈的官方數據顯示，受中東衝突的影響，美國3月通膨率加速至2022年中以來的最快水準。 威廉斯週一表示，儘管近期價格出現衝擊，但通膨預期仍然「穩固」。 “這一點至關重要，因為事實證明，穩固的預期對於在意外衝擊和極端不確定性下確保價格穩定至關重要。” 威廉斯表示，在勞動市場方面，許多硬性數據顯示市場趨於穩定，而一些軟性數據則顯示「持續逐步放緩」。 “儘管硬性數據和軟性數據之間的這種差異可能反映了低招聘、低解僱的勞動力市場狀況，但仍需密切關注，以判斷市場狀況是否正在發生變化。” 威廉斯表示，今年以來美國經濟展現出“驚人的韌性”，並補充說，他預計失業率將維持在近期4.25%至4.50%的區間內。 週三，聯邦公開市場委員會連續第三次會議維持基準貸款利率不變，並表示中東衝突加劇了美國經濟前景的不確定性。 週五，三位曾希望修改4月貨幣政策聲明措辭的聯邦公開市場委員會官員表示，通膨和就業風險並不足以構成所謂的寬鬆傾向。這三位官員分別是克里夫蘭聯邦儲備銀行行長貝絲·哈馬克、明尼阿波利斯聯邦儲備銀行行長尼爾·卡什卡利和達拉斯聯邦儲備銀行行長洛里·洛根。 威廉斯週一表示：“高企的通膨水平、勞動力市場發出的喜憂參半的信號以及中東衝突帶來的不確定性加劇，構成了一系列不同尋常的情況，但目前的貨幣政策立場能夠很好地平衡我們實現充分就業和價格穩定目標所面臨的風險。”
Related Articles
Research
Research Alert: Wmb: A Q1 Beat, But High Growth Capex Spending
CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:Williams delivered solid Q1 results, with adjusted EPS of $0.73 beating estimates of $0.62 and rising 22% Y/Y. Adjusted EBITDA increased 13% to $2.25B due to Transco expansion projects, higher Gulf volumes from new developments, and elevated storage revenues during winter storms. The natural gas-focused midstream operator benefits from strategic positioning in LNG infrastructure and data center demand, securing major customer agreements including the $2.3B Neo power project and Atlas data center infrastructure. Management raised 2026 growth capex guidance to $7.0B-$7.6B from prior $6.1B-$6.7B range, while maintaining 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $8.05B-$8.35B with expectations in the upper half. We believe the aggressive growth strategy positions WMB well for secular demand trends, though elevated capex of $1.64B in Q1 versus $0.67B prior year reflects the substantial investment required for expansion initiatives across Transco and data center projects.
$WMB
Research
Research Alert: CFRA Maintains Hold Rating On Shares Of Generac Holdings Inc.
CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:Generac reported strong Q1 results with net sales rising 12% Y/Y to $1.06B, driven by a 28% surge in its Commercial & Industrial segment, fueled by accelerating data center demand, while Residential sales grew just 1% as higher pricing on home standby generators was offset by lower volumes. Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded significantly to 18.3% from 15.9%, reflecting strong operating leverage on higher C&I volumes and substantial cost savings within the reorganized Residential business. We view the robust C&I momentum and expanding backlog as key catalysts supporting our positive investment thesis. Management raised full-year guidance, buoyed by the Q1 outperformance and rapidly growing C&I backlog. We lift our 12-month target to $275 from $235, valuing shares at 25.7x our revised 2027 EPS outlook of $10.70 (up from $10.42), near GNRC's five-year forward multiple average but below electrical equipment peers given earnings volatility. We also raise our 2026 EPS forecast to $8.56 from $8.10.
$GNRC
Asia
Westpac Banking Posts Higher Fiscal H1 Adjusted Earnings, Net Operating Income
Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) reported Tuesday fiscal first-half earnings of AU$1.014 per share excluding notable items, up from AU$0.998 a year earlier.Analysts polled by FactSet expected earnings of AU$1.Net operating income for the six months ended March 31 was AU$11.28 billion, compared with AU$10.99 billion a year earlier. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected AU$11.33 billion.The board declared an interim dividend of AU$0.77 per share, up from AU$0.76 a year earlier, payable June 26 to shareholders on record as of May 11.
$ASX:WBC$NZE:WBC