Digital Central Banks, U.K. PMI Key for BOE, Davos: Eco Day

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Happy Friday, Europe. Here’s the latest news and analysis from Bloomberg Economics to help you start the day:

• Christine Lagarde’s first move as the new European Central Bank chief could presage the institution’s first hiatus in policy activism for years
• The flash U.K. PMI reading Friday will go a long way toward determining whether the Bank of England cuts interest rates at the end of the month, writes Bloomberg’s Dan Hanson
• The quarreling elites gathered at Davos agreed on at least one thing about the world’s central bankers: they’re going to have a hard time getting out of the cul-de-sac of their own making
• It’s not just Davos chatter: An increasing number of central banks are looking into issuing digital currencies, according to the Bank for International Settlements
• The Wuhan virus lockdown is threatening the city’s status as a transport and manufacturing hub akin to Chicago’s role as a pivotal city in the center of a giant economy
• Early indicators show that China’s economy was brightening this month ahead of the outbreak of the Wuhan pneumonia outbreak
• Singapore’s prime minister warns that an expected economic rebound will depend on a number of global risks staying quiet
• Animal spirits in India are perking up, with more support seen in the budget coming Feb. 1
• Finally, here’s the collection of this week’s analysis, scoops and enterprise from Bloomberg Economics

To contact the reporter on this story: Michelle Jamrisko in Singapore at mjamrisko@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Nasreen Seria at nseria@bloomberg.net, Karthikeyan Sundaram, Pradeep Kurup

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