Macro Briefing: 17 December 2020

* Congress still negotiating a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill
* US reports record Covid-19 deaths (3600-plus) for December 16
* French president tests positive for Covid-19
* Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine expected to receive FDA approval
* Fed leaves rates unchanged and commits to more bond purchases
* Fed lifts US economic growth forecast for 2021
* US retail sales fell more than expected in November
* Eurozone consumer prices fall for fourth straight month
* Bitcoin rises above $23,000 as Wall Street embraces the cryptocurrency
* Home builder confidence slips in December after reaching record high
* US economic expansion slowed in December via PMI survey data