Real-time News

February 20th - Venezuela has begun raising fuel prices at gas stations in Caracas, a move aimed at seeking new revenue streams while reopening its oil industry to foreign investment and increasing production. The Venezuelan state-owned oil company, PDVSA, has begun supplying premium gasoline at some stations in the capital, priced at approximately twice that of regular gasoline. According to two sources familiar with the matter, the initial rollout plan includes 10 gas stations selling 97-octane gasoline exclusively in US dollars. This move underscores the government's efforts to create new revenue streams as it attracts foreign partners and responds to a shift in US policy regarding the reshaping of Venezuela's energy sector.

Federal Reserve's Daly: I'm more focused on fulfilling my duties to achieve my goals than on defending the Fed's independence.

Trump criticized health insurance companies and said he was unhappy with reports of their stock rising.

S&P: The current probability of the U.S. entering a recession within the next 12 months is 20%-25%, down from 30% in September.

S&P: The business cycle barometer shows that the risk of a U.S. recession has decreased as growth remains resilient.

On February 20, Iran sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General and the UN Security Council. In the letter, Iran stated that it does not seek tensions or war, nor will it initiate one, and noted that US President Trump's remarks demonstrated the "real risk of military aggression." The letter stated that if subjected to military aggression, Iran will respond, and all bases, facilities, and assets of "hostile forces" in the region will become legitimate targets.

Federal Reserve's Daly: More measures are needed to reduce inflation, but we don't want to fall behind or overdo it.

Federal Reserve's Daly: The labor market is more depressed than before, so there is no inflationary risk from artificial intelligence capital expenditures.

Federal Reserve's Daly: There is a real need for capital expenditures on artificial intelligence, it's not just talk.

Federal Reserve's Daly: Inflation is expected to fall as the effects of tariffs subside.

Federal Reserve's Daly: The commercial application of technology is likely to help alleviate inflation.

Federal Reserve's Daly: Achieving the inflation target has been a challenging final step due to shocks such as tariffs.

Federal Reserve's Daly: Policy is in a good position.

Federal Reserve's Daly: Inflation continues to decline, except in the commodities sector.

On February 20th, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stated on the 19th that the majority of European countries' views on the Ukraine issue lean towards perpetuating the conflict rather than promoting a peaceful resolution. Peskov told the media that day that European representatives did not participate in the trilateral talks between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine in Geneva, Switzerland. Under the current trilateral framework, Russia believes that involving European participation in the Ukraine negotiation process "makes no sense." Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had received a briefing from the Russian delegation on the results of the Geneva talks. When asked about the main topics of the talks, Peskov said that the negotiations are currently at a stage where public discussion is not appropriate, and Russia will not disclose relevant details. Russia will determine the time and place for the next round of consultations based on its analysis of the talks' results.

Trump: US-Venezuela energy cooperation is progressing "very well".

Trump: Oil and gas production has increased.