Who knows what the new normal for oil demand will be once Covid-19 is firmly in the rear view mirror? It is likely to be lower than it was in 2019, and it could be that way for many years. That’s going to create overcapacity throughout the oil supply chain and weigh on prices. While signs are emerging that we ...

The US government has spent $2.6 trillion to support the economy as the coronavirus pandemic spreads, and the Federal Reserve has about matched that amount in asset purchases. We’re not finished fighting Covid-19, so protecting the economy in 2020 may be the most expensive thing the US has ever attempted. Consider that the US spent about $4 trillion in today’s ...

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been generous with its praise throughout this pandemic. China, Singapore and Ireland have all received plaudits for their handling of the coronavirus crisis. Now that a new turning point is in sight, with the infection’s spread slowing and draconian lockdown measures being gradually lifted, the WHO is promoting the Swedish way of doing things. ...

The public appetite for more information about Covid-19 is understandably insatiable. Social scientists have been quick to respond. They are writing papers at a record pace, and academic journals are expediting the review process so that these new, exciting results can be published in a timely and newsworthy manner. While I understand the impulse, the rush to publish findings quickly ...

Bloomberg Once again, when stocks rally, it’s Europe that’s left behind. With the S&P 500 about 30% above its March lows, the Stoxx 600 index has lagged behind with a 21% bounce, despite having fallen more than the US in the global selloff sparked by the coronavirus pandemic. The reason? For starters, there’s the market’s makeup: Europe has a large ...

Bloomberg Behind the big recovery in stocks has been a loose consortium of new and old buyers, each responding to a distinct storyline. Traders banking on the Federal Reserve, market novices bent on picking the bottom, and people convinced megacap tech is invincible. Whether they will be enough to sustain a lasting rally is the next urgent question for bulls, ...

Bloomberg Sweden’s central bank may need to have some of its age-old laws changed if it’s to act on a pledge to do “whatever it takes” to save the economy. The Riksbank’s 352-year history gives it the distinction of being the world’s oldest central bank. But the legislation governing it has yet to catch up with the kind of policy ...

Bloomberg Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA took a combined hit of 3.5 billion euros ($3.8 billion) for virus-related provisions and a second consecutive charge at its US business to post its biggest-ever quarterly loss. BBVA, which is focused on emerging markets in Latin America and Turkey, reported a first-quarter net loss of 1.8 billion euros. The virus impact alone accounted ...

Bloomberg American Express Co., long synonymous with premium travel rewards, will now offer a meditation app and credits for streaming services as the coronavirus pandemic forces its customers to stay home. As the outbreak made its way to the US, the credit-card issuer realised that many of its rewards tied to spending on airlines and hotels were becoming less relevant, ...

Bloomberg Societe Generale SA posted a surprise first-quarter loss after income from its stock-trading unit was wiped out in the market volatility caused by the coronavirus and the bank set aside 820 million euros ($890 million) to cover bad loans. Revenue from equities trading and the business of servicing hedge funds slumped 99% to just 9 million euros in the ...