Performance Measurement & Evaluation

A working group on risk-free rates at the Bank of England wants greater focus on adoption of the Sterling Overnight Index Average. "It would be appropriate to begin considering more granular milestones with a more targeted approach," according to minutes from the group. Futures & Options World (subscription required) (13 Dec.)

Congress took a break for the holidays without a plan for heading off a partial shutdown of the US government next week. Talks on keeping the government running haven't progressed since President Donald Trump said he is willing to take the blame for a shutdown if he doesn't get funding to build a wall along the border with Mexico. Politico (13 Dec.)

Almost half of economists in a recent poll for The Wall Street Journal said the risk of a trade war between the US and China was their biggest concern for the US economy in 2019. Other concerns were disruption to financial markets, business-investment slowdown and fallout risk from an increase in interest rates. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (13 Dec.)