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.
7,188 total articles
A recent poll of economists indicates Thailand’s economy likely expanded 2.2% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, slowing from 2.5% in the previous quarter, with seasonally adjusted quarterly growth estimated at just 0.1%. The slowdown reflects softer domestic spending and a pronounced tourism downturn linked to regional flight disruptions, …
French President Emmanuel Macron’s choice to lead the Bank of France, Emmanuel Moulin, faces parliamentary scrutiny that could test the president’s remaining political capital. Lawmakers in finance committees of both chambers will vote on the nomination, with approval dependent on a combined threshold that the noes not exceed 60% of votes. The outc…
Banks across the Asia Pacific region have raised loan loss provisions tied to the fallout from the Iran conflict, citing indirect costs from higher oil prices, supply-chain strain and weaker corporate balance sheets. While current provisions are smaller than those taken during the COVID shock, analysts say prolonged disruptions could translate into…
Investors are positioning for a period of elevated U.S. Treasury yields as rising oil prices linked to a protracted Middle East conflict push inflation expectations higher. Long-term yields, including the 10-year, have jumped, increasing borrowing costs across mortgages, corporate debt and leveraged loans. Market participants warn that incoming Fed…
Bank of Japan board member Kazuyuki Masu said the central bank should move to raise interest rates as soon as possible provided there are no clear signs of an economic slowdown. Though he voted to keep rates unchanged at the April meeting, Masu warned that energy and chemical price rises linked to the Iran war could feed into persistent inflation a…
Global markets remain driven by a record-setting rally focused on artificial intelligence, even as investors contend with persistent inflation risks, oil trading above $100 a barrel and stalled efforts to end the Iran war. A high-profile summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping in Beijing has so far produced few specifics, …
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping called publicly for improved relations as a high-profile summit opened in Beijing. Both leaders offered conciliatory language ahead of detailed negotiations on technology controls, Taiwan, and regional security issues that have affected energy flows.
The U.S. dollar found upward momentum on Thursday, supported by climbing Treasury yields and safe-haven demand stemming from Middle East tensions. As investors adjust their expectations for Federal Reserve policy following recent inflationary signals, the global currency market remains focused on a high-stakes meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Ji…
The British housing market continues to face significant headwinds as buyer confidence remains low. According to the latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) released on Thursday, economic pressures stemming from the Iran war and climbing mortgage interest rates have contributed to a persistent sense of pessimism among…
Despite a significant jump in U.S. producer price inflation and a corresponding rise in bond yields, equity markets showed notable resilience on Wednesday. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both achieved new record highs as investors turned their attention toward the upcoming summit in Beijing between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping. This mark…
The New Zealand residential property market experienced a decline in April, according to the latest figures from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ). Median house prices saw a seasonal adjustment downward, reflecting the impact of rising expenses on consumer behavior. While most regions remained relatively steady and general market con…
The United Arab Emirates foreign ministry on Wednesday dismissed reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the country during the ongoing war with Iran. The denial followed an earlier statement from Netanyahu’s office saying he had traveled to the UAE and met the Emirati president. The UAE ministry described any claims of unann…
The Canadian dollar fell for a sixth consecutive session against the U.S. dollar as the greenback strengthened broadly and minutes from the Bank of Canada’s latest policy meeting indicated policymakers were prepared to remain on hold. The currency traded around 1.3705 per U.S. dollar, while developments in oil prices, Canadian labour market data an…
A court exhibit revealed that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman owns more than $2 billion of equity in companies that have existing commercial arrangements with OpenAI. The disclosure was introduced during hearings in Elon Musk's lawsuit seeking $150 billion in damages and Altman's removal from OpenAI leadership, and comes as multiple state attorneys general p…
The European Central Bank's chief economist Philip Lane said the ECB may have to raise interest rates in June to stop rising fuel costs tied to the Iran conflict from feeding into wages and wider price pressures. Lane said some policymakers view a June move as the first of several hikes, despite the potential drag on growth in energy-importing part…
The federal government and Alberta are concluding a deal to raise the province's industrial carbon price to C$130 per metric ton by 2040, a move that removes a key barrier to Ottawa supporting Alberta's proposed crude pipeline to the Pacific coast. The pact establishes escalating price floors from 2027 to 2040, acknowledges market dysfunction in ca…
U.S. Vice President JD Vance told reporters at the White House that discussions aimed at ending hostilities with Iran are moving forward, even after President Donald Trump deemed Tehran's most recent proposal unacceptable. Vance emphasized that the central issue is whether the talks can deliver the assurances Trump requires that Iran will never obt…
The U.S. Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve, elevating the 56-year-old lawyer and financier to lead the central bank as inflation concerns and debate over interest rate direction persist. His confirmation followed his appointment to the Board of Governors and the departure of a sitting governor to accommodate his seat. The…
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved Kevin Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve, clearing the way for him to assume leadership as inflation trends upward and markets reassess likely policy trajectories. Warsh was also confirmed to a 14-year term as a Fed governor on Tuesday; his formal swearing-in awaits final White House paperwork. His stated in…
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement division, led by newly appointed director David Woodcock, is prioritizing stress in private credit portfolios and frauds that target retail investors. Speaking at the Managed Funds Association’s Legal & Compliance 2026 Conference in New York, Woodcock said the division will concentrate on cases t…
At its April meeting the Bank of Canada kept the policy rate at 2.25% while officials outlined a range of views on where interest rates may head next. In a summary of deliberations released Wednesday, policymakers said they saw unusually high uncertainty, discussed scenarios tied to potential U.S. tariffs and the Middle East conflict, and signaled …
Prime Minister Peter Magyar said his cabinet will temporarily suspend non-essential expenditures for about one to two weeks while the new government conducts a review of the state budget it inherited. He reiterated plans to secure an agreement with the European Union this month to free more than €10 billion in withheld funds, which he says could ad…
U.S. intelligence indicates that Chinese commercial entities have been in discussions with Iranian officials about transferring weapons and arranging shipments via third countries to obscure their origin. It is unclear whether any arms have actually been moved, and U.S. officials differ on whether shipments have taken place. Intelligence has highli…
Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari said the Iran war has intensified already-elevated inflation and warned that closure of the Strait of Hormuz adds a major unknown to price pressures. Speaking at a St. Paul Area Chamber event, Kashkari said the Fed must bring inflation back to its 2% target and described the labor market as ‘lukew…
The Bank of Canada’s Governing Council decided it could keep its policy rate unchanged at 2.25% at the time of its April 29 announcement, according to minutes released Wednesday. While headline inflation was near the 2% target and GDP growth remained subdued, members warned that rising energy costs tied to the Iran conflict and other trade uncertai…
