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US consumer sentiment, inflation expectations deteriorate sharply in April

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. consumer sentiment deteriorated sharply in April and 12-month inflation expectations surged to the highest level since 1981 amid unease over escalating trade tensions. The University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers on Friday said its Consumer Sentiment Index dropped to 50.8 this month from a final reading of 57.0 in March. "Consumers report multiple warning signs that raise the risk of recession: expectations for business conditions, personal finances, incomes, inflation, and labor markets all continued to deteriorate this month."

Fed should 'lean against' persistent tariff-driven inflation, Musalem says

Noting high uncertainty over the effects and timing of tariffs and other new policies and the "distinct possibility" that inflation reaccelerates even as the labor market softens, Musalem said Fed policy is well positioned and should remain vigilant. "I would be wary of assuming the impact of high tariffs on inflation would be only brief or limited," Musalem told the Arkansas Bankers Association. "I consider it appropriate to 'lean against' second-round effects with monetary policy, although discerning between underlying inflation and the direct, indirect and second-round effects of tariffs is likely to be challenging in real time."

Exclusive-China has considered opening its $520 billion ETF market to Western market makers, sources say

China has been looking at allowing Western firms such as Citadel Securities and Jane Street to act as market makers in its rapidly growing exchange-traded fund (ETF) sector, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said. Over the last two years, Chinese authorities have issued more licences and encouraged the development of domestic market makers. The sources cautioned, however, that the escalating trade war with U.S. that has seen China saddled with tariffs of 145% this year could delay Beijing's official green light for U.S. firms.

Dollar Emerges as Latest Victim of This Week’s Markets Mayhem

(Bloomberg) -- The dollar has emerged as the latest victim of this week’s market turmoil as a worsening global trade war risks derailing US economic growth.Most Read from BloombergThe Secret Formula for Faster TrainsMidtown Office Building Evacuated on Concerns of Wall CollapseIn Chicago, a Former Steel Mill Looks to Make a Quantum LeapNYC Tourist Helicopter Crashes in Hudson River, Killing SixInside the Quiet, Extravagant Expansion of the Frick CollectionA Bloomberg gauge of the greenback tumbl

Fed's Collins tells Yahoo Finance that markets are holding in for now

(Reuters) -Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Susan Collins said Friday that financial markets, which have been under massive pressure, appear to be holding in, in comments made in an interview with Yahoo Finance. “Markets continue to function well,” Collins said in the interview, adding “financial market movements are something to stay focused on” amid a huge range of uncertainty tied to trade policy. Collins' comments to Yahoo come after a speech the official made late Thursday that flagged the uncertain outlook caused by the Trump administration's tariffs, amid expectations the big rise in import taxes imposed by the president will drive up inflation and depress growth for a time.