The Fed’s March meeting minutes indicate policy makers might be willing to adopt a more aggressive tightening schedule than previously thought. FOMC members are broadly in agreement to slash $95bn per month from the balance sheet over three months, probably starting in May. Half-point rate hikes are also highly likely to come into effect in future meetings. U.S. equities fall as a result, while the 10-year Treasury yield hits a three-year high. Back in Europe, EU nations have stopped short of a consensus on banning Russian oil outright as Washington takes aim at the Russian financial system and President Vladimir Putin’s family. With just three days to go before the first round of the French presidential election, we speak to Laurent Jacobelli, Grand Est regional president for Marine Le Pen’s RN party, who says the country “needs and wants change” after President Emmanuel Macron’s five years in power.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.