Best Reads

“Faced with a choice of lending to or investing in failing national champions, a number of governments have opted for the latter, nationalizing airlines, hospitals, automotive firms and other ‘crown jewels’.” – by Alissa Kole Amico

“VW, BMW, Daimler, Continental and Adidas criticised for considering payouts while relying on state funds.” – by Joe Miller, Olaf Storbeck and Guy Chazan

“Covid-19 expected to trigger a massive plunge in foreign direct investment and reinforce protectionist policies among leading recipients.” – by Yigal Chazan

“As coronavirus cuts a swath of economic destruction across Europe, pushing the already-strained budgets of southern countries to the brink, calls are getting louder for the eurozone to intervene by issuing debt backed by all members.” – by Silvia Borrelli and Matthew Karnitschnig

“The Government has announced a series of substantial fiscal support measures to alleviate some of the severe cashflow problems facing businesses and households.  The Bank of England also has a role to play in supporting businesses and households through the economic disruption associated with Covid-19.”

“The details of the new programme support the declaration by Christine Lagarde, the ECB’s president, who said on Twitter after it was announced last week: ‘There are no limits to our commitment to the euro.’” – by Martin Arnold and Tommy Stubbington

“This new Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme (PEPP) will have an overall envelope of €750 billion. Purchases will be conducted until the end of 2020 and will include all the asset categories eligible under the existing asset purchase programme (APP).” – ECB Governing Council

“The Monetary Policy Committee at a special meeting on 19 March voted to cut Bank rate to 0.1% and increase its holdings of UK government and corporate bonds by £200 billion.” – Bank of England

“PARIS – France is trying to avoid an economic catastrophe by injecting billions into its coronavirus-hit economy.” –  by Elisa Braun