Macroeconomic data, trends, and policy developments.
Coverage of key economic indicators, central bank policy decisions, inflation trends, labor data, and growth signals. This category focuses on the macroeconomic forces that shape markets, interest rates, and long-term capital allocation.
5,905 total articles
BofA Securities on June 14 published a primer that lays out the mechanics of 'Fed watching,' describing the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate, the FOMC voting structure, the communication and projection changes under the new chair, the policy frameworks BofA uses to assess stance, and the composition and size of the Fed’s balance sheet.
On June 20 a judge ordered that Begoña Gomez, the wife of Spain’s prime minister, stand trial on allegations that she used her position to secure work contracts. The judge also imposed travel restrictions and reporting requirements. The case, initiated by far-right groups, is one of several corruption probes that are placing pressure on the prime m…
Investors are watching Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s inaugural FOMC meeting for clues on the central bank’s near-term stance, while Capitol Hill negotiations over crypto regulation, a bipartisan housing compromise and potential defense-related supplemental spending remain key policy catalysts ahead of the midterm elections.
BYD has denied breaching environmental rules during construction of its electric vehicle plant in Hungary, following claims that contaminated soil was relocated from the Szeged site. Executive Vice President Stella Li called the accusations false and said the company has engaged lawyers. Hungarian authorities have opened an investigation. BYD says …
Bolivia's government declared a state of emergency after almost two months of road blockades that have impeded travel, trade and access to basic goods and services. President Rodrigo Paz said emergency measures are intended to restore the flow of goods and services, following an accord with the Central Obrera Boliviana as authorities work to clear …
Four senior Iranian sources say the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stands to gain substantially from any sanctions relief negotiated between Washington and Tehran. The IRGC's broad commercial network - spanning energy, construction, shipping, telecommunications and logistics - and its engineering arm, Khatam al-Anbia, could allow it to ab…
A Yardeni Research note attributes the stronger performance of U.S. equities to concentrated investment in AI infrastructure and improving industrial production, while China faces persistent weak domestic demand, a prolonged property downturn and slowing bank lending that have left its markets subdued.
Washington and Doha are coordinating a diplomatic mechanism to unfreeze approximately $6 billion in Iranian state assets, earmarked strictly for humanitarian aid. This development follows a recent agreement between the United States and Iran that halted hostilities and restored navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal requires Iranian …
Iran has reaffirmed its willingness to engage in diplomatic talks with the United States, contingent upon American assurances that Israel will fully comply with the terms of a recently established memorandum of understanding designed to end regional hostilities. Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasize…
The Japanese government is planning a massive $2.3 trillion combined public and private investment initiative by 2040, targeting 17 strategic sectors. Led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the strategy aims to utilize government spending to catalyze private-sector investment, with funding potentially supported by multi-year budget frameworks and br…
Bank of America attributes the recent depreciation of the Japanese yen primarily to foreign investors increasing currency hedging on their substantial Japanese equity positions. Despite improvements in Japan's balance of payments and narrowing domestic financial gaps, the yen has continued to weaken. The report suggests this trend is largely driven…
Canada has introduced a temporary 10% safeguard tariff on imported canned vegetables, a move designed to protect domestic agricultural producers and food processing facilities from competitive pressure. The Department of Finance confirmed the policy shift follows an investigation into trade diversion, which authorities believe has increased import …
A federal appeals court has temporarily suspended the Trump administration's initiative to drastically reduce the workforce at the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The ruling represents a significant legal hurdle for White House efforts to restructure the agency, which was established to oversee consumer financial products followin…
Italy's economy has demonstrated robust performance over the current decade, outpacing several major Eurozone peers in real GDP growth. This momentum has been primarily fueled by a surge in fixed investment, particularly within the construction sector, bolstered by substantial fiscal stimulus and European Union recovery funds. Despite the phased ou…
Fifty days of road blockades across Bolivia have brought daily life to a near standstill, with at least 14 dead and supply chains disrupted. Former president Evo Morales, based in the Chapare region, remains an influential figure and says the surge of unrest has 'made him think' about returning to politics. The center-right administration of Rodrig…
Minutes from the central bank's recent meeting show the Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously to hold the policy repo rate at 5.25% and retain a neutral stance, adopting a wait-and-see approach amid concerns that rising oil and food costs, and exchange rate swings, could feed into broader inflation. The minutes highlight contained core inflat…
The Bank of Russia lowered its policy rate by 25 basis points to 14.25%, a more cautious step than the 50 basis points many had anticipated. Officials cited a rise in pro-inflationary risks tied to a temporary drop in motor fuel production amid drone strikes on refining and transport infrastructure, while fiscal policy has become more accommodative…
At his first Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh emphasized a stripped-back, inflation-focused approach and unveiled five task forces aimed at reshaping Fed practice. The Fed left the federal funds rate at 3.50%-to-3.75% and issued a concise policy statement that downplayed broader economic commentary. Market…
Investors poured a net $55.22 billion into global equity funds in the week ending June 17, the biggest weekly inflow in roughly 19 months, driven by optimism around an interim U.S.-Iran agreement and expectations that reopened maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz could ease inflationary pressures. U.S. and technology-focused funds captured the …
European Central Bank Chief Economist Philip Lane characterized the euro zone's current price surge as a mid-sized shock that will keep inflation above 3% through the year. He called for a measured policy response following last week's rate increase and warned that inflation will remain above the ECB's 2% target into next year, even if tensions in …
Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor known as the 'King of the North', won the Makerfield parliamentary by-election with 54.8% of the vote, defeating the Reform UK candidate who took 34.5%. The margin of victory strengthens Burnham's claim that he could replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer, intensifying pressure on a leader whose popularity ha…
A former Bank of Japan board member says the central bank’s recent move to lift its short-term rate to 1% marked a decisive shift toward prioritizing the fight against inflation. He predicts at least one more rate increase by year-end and the possibility of a second before the end of the current fiscal year if consumer inflation accelerates sharply…
A memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran has temporarily calmed shipping routes and pushed oil prices down, but markets face a busy week of economic data and political events. Key U.S. inflation figures, earnings from major corporates, Australian inflation and labour reports, a closely watched Colombian presidential runoff a…
U.S. equity futures slipped following a strong session on Wall Street driven by hopes the recent U.S.-Iran ceasefire could hold. The abrupt cancellation of planned talks between the two countries has reintroduced uncertainty even as oil prices fall sharply on expectations that a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will restore supplies. Separately, s…
Belgium's central bank head Pierre Wunsch said the ECB could raise interest rates again as soon as next month if inflationary pressures widen beyond energy into areas such as services, even after an interim U.S.-Iran deal pushed oil prices sharply lower. Wunsch reiterated support for last week's unanimous 25 basis-point increase while urging condit…
