Fed slowdown.

Most Federal Reserve officials believe the central banks should slow the pace of interest rate hikes, minutes from its latest gathering earlier this month showed. The minutes, released Wednesday, support expectations the Fed will raise rates by 50 basis points in December, ending a run of jumbo 75 basis point increases. Stocks rallied and the dollar fell toward a three-month low on the news.

Illustration: Patrick Leger | Bloomberg Markets

Most Federal Reserve officials back slower rate rises ‘soon’

A “substantial majority” of Federal Reserve officials support slowing down the pace of interest rate rises soon, even as some warned that monetary policy would need to be tightened more than expected next year, according to an account of their most recent meeting. (Financial Times | Nov 22)

Despite higher interest rates, OECD says global economy can avoid recession in 2023

The global economy should avoid a recession next year but the worst energy crisis since the 1970s will trigger a sharp slowdown, with Europe hit hardest, the OECD said, adding that fighting inflation should be policymakers' top priority. National outlooks vary widely, although Britain's economy is set to lag major peers, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said on Tuesday. (Reuters | Nov 22) see also The US Treasury yield curve recession indicator is flashing red (Morningstar | Nov 21)

Money managers jump into mortgage bonds

Mortgage bonds are close to the cheapest they’ve been since the financial crisis by some measures, and money managers are betting that prices have fallen far enough to make the securities a great buy now. Investors are also piling into the debt from US-backed entities like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They’re drawn by an unusual shift in the bonds. (Bloomberg Markets | Nov 22)

Labor Department clears path for 401(k) plans to offer ESG funds

More retirement savers could soon have the option to invest in funds based on environmental, social and governance principles, under final regulations issued by the Labor Department on Tuesday. The new rule reverses a move in 2020 that made it harder for 401(k) plans to put ESG investments on the menu. ESG funds have grown in popularity in recent years as individuals seek to invest in ways more consistent with their own values, and to benefit from growth in sectors such as renewable energy. (The Wall Street Journal | Nov 22)

US banks use thaw in markets to shift 'hung loans' off their books

Wall Street banks are using a thaw in corporate debt markets to offload billions of dollars’ worth of loans tied to risky private equity takeovers, but many are still incurring losses to clinch deals with investors. The sale of debt earlier this month linked to the buyout of television ratings provider Nielsen offered a reprieve to lenders including Bank of America and Barclays, which are desperate to clear “hung” deals that have piled up on their balance sheets this year because of a dearth of investor appetite. (Financial Times | Nov 22)

Source: Hot Millions (imdb.com)

Cybersecurity movies to binge this Thanksgiving weekend

One of the most loved Thanksgiving traditions for many is to curl up on the couch and watch movies after a heavy meal. Over the last few decades, technology has played a massive role in most of these movies. And as technology has become a thematic element, exploiting it and securing it has seen major coverage too. These movies have had a large influence on both the tech and cybersecurity industries, both as a source of inspiration and as something we can laugh about together.

— Security Boulevard

Hackers temporarily take down European Parliament website

The European Parliament’s website was briefly disabled by a denial-of-service cyberattack on Wednesday, hours after lawmakers passed a resolution labeling Russia a state that sponsors terrorism. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola tweeted that the institution was “under a sophisticated cyberattack. A pro-Kremlin group has claimed responsibility.” 

— The Wall Street Journal

A boiling cauldron: Cybersecurity trends, threats, and predictions for 2023

Cyber-attacks have become part of a boiling cauldron and some of the brining liquid has seeped over into the corporate and government digital landscapes. Consistently, phishing, insider threats, business email compromise, lack of skilled cybersecurity workers, and misconfigurations of code have been common trends throughout the past decade. They still will be trends in the coming year, but other factors and developments will also permeate a precarious cybersecurity ecosystem.

— Forbes

Sign up for cybersecurity advisories from the

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency here.

Bespoke holiday cards, POA, and the Victorian holiday collection, $65 for set of 10. Photo: Dempsey & Carroll

Cult Shop: the New York stationer for socialites

Providing its customers “with luxury writing papers but also advice on etiquette and proper decorum in a variety of social settings,” Dempsey & Carroll rose to prominence along with the city’s society scene – and it remains New York’s most illustrious stationer.

— Financial Times

Black Friday spending traps: Credit-card offers, tricky trips and so-so discounts

Americans say they will rein in spending this Black Friday. With high inflation and economic uncertainty dampening the usual holiday cheer, shoppers say they want to take a more frugal approach to gift giving. The pomp of Black Friday, along with the deluge of online deals and discounts, may derail these plans.

— The Wall Street Journal

Notes of appreciation can boost individual and team morale

Leaders across the world instinctively know that playing to the strengths of each person on their team will accelerate both personal and organizational growth. But it’s easier said than done. Identifying strengths, our own or anyone else’s, can be tricky. Disruption Advisors, a tech-enabled talent development company, adopted a simple approach to identifying, then playing to strengths across teams. It’s the exercise of writing notes of appreciation.

— Harvard Business Review