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.
6,933 total articles
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told a television audience that the administration does not plan to widen its tariff program on China and expects the present tariff regime to remain. He confirmed talks with China have touched on excess capacity and said certain duties will be set at 15%, with the possibility that some could exceed that rat…
In its annual budget, South Africa's National Treasury said it will propose a "principles-led" fiscal anchor at the mid-term budget later this year, prioritizing a guideline-based framework rather than a fixed numerical target to shore up public finances amid a steep rise in debt and modest growth projections.
First Solar's shares fell sharply in premarket trading after the company projected 2026 net sales below analyst expectations, citing uncertainty in the U.S. policy environment, permitting delays and tariff pressures. Management outlined a plan to open a U.S. finishing line in South Carolina to alleviate supply constraints for the Series 6 module an…
China announced it has met obligations tied to the U.S. Section 301 trade statute and urged Washington not to pursue further punitive measures, after the U.S. Trade Representative indicated ongoing investigations that could result in more tariffs. Beijing said it prefers to resolve issues through existing economic and trade consultation channels bu…
U.S. stock index futures ticked higher on Wednesday after a period of volatility as investors digested mixed signals about the economic impact of rapid AI investment and navigated ongoing uncertainty over newly announced tariffs. Nvidia’s quarterly results, due after the close, were the focal point for investors seeking confirmation that surging ca…
JP Morgan raised its long-term gold price forecast by 15% to $4,500 an ounce while maintaining a year-end 2026 projection of $6,300. The bank attributed the revision to stronger-than-expected central bank buying, official statements about U.S. Treasury divestment and a trend of some countries moving revenues from the dollar into the Chinese renminb…
Hong Kong private home prices rose 0.5% in January, marking an eighth consecutive month of gains and reinforcing signs of a market recovery. Analysts at major banks have lifted their 2026 growth forecasts, with forecasts ranging from about 10% to 15%, while developers and the government have exhibited greater activity and policy support for the hou…
U.S. equity futures were modestly positive as the market prepared for quarterly reports from Nvidia and Salesforce, companies at the heart of investor debate over the economic implications of the artificial intelligence surge. Broader market sentiment has been shaped by partnerships and large-scale AI spending, fresh U.S. tariffs and upcoming U.S.-…
The Bank of Thailand unexpectedly reduced its one-day repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 1.00% at its first policy review of the year in a 4-2 vote. The move - the sixth reduction since October 2024 and bringing total easing to 150 basis points - came as policymakers cited a firm baht, U.S. tariff uncertainty and structural headwinds that keep g…
Haruhiko Kuroda, who led the Bank of Japan's unconventional stimulus era, said the economy is in strong shape and called for a continued cycle of interest-rate increases together with tighter fiscal settings. He cautioned that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s expansionary spending and tax measures could aggravate inflationary pressures and elevate g…
Asian equity markets opened strongly after a rebound in U.S. shares, with technology-related names leading gains ahead of Nvidia's quarterly report. The dollar eased slightly, Treasury yields nudged up and oil ticked higher. Markets are also parsing political remarks on data centre power and awaiting a slate of macroeconomic releases and central ba…
The Japanese government has nominated academics Toichiro Asada and Ayano Sato to the nine-member board of the Bank of Japan. Market commentators say both nominees are regarded as reflationists, a development that could alter yield curve dynamics and market expectations for future BOJ rate decisions. Analysts differ on how large a policy impact the …
President Donald Trump described the Supreme Court's decision to overturn elements of his tariff program as "unfortunate," and told lawmakers and the nation that he intends to continue his tariff agenda by relying on other legal statutes rather than seeking Congressional approval. He reiterated that tariffs were a key contributor to U.S. economic a…
Hong Kong’s financial chief signaled confidence in the city’s near-term economic trajectory, forecasting growth of 2.5%-3.5% and an improvement in the government’s fiscal position after years of deficits. He outlined a push to deepen ties with mainland economic planning and to accelerate development in technology and AI, while warning that protecti…
The yen slipped toward a two-week low after reports that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed reservations about further rate increases to the Bank of Japan governor, while a firmer Chinese yuan and a pickup in Australian inflation supported the yuan and Australian dollar. Traders also watched for U.S. signals during the Asia session tied to the…
Australia's consumer prices rose more than expected in January, driven by higher housing and health expenses. The trimmed mean core inflation measure climbed, recording its quickest annual rise since late 2024 and prompting markets to shorten the odds of another interest-rate hike in the near term, including May.
Japan's services producer price index rose 2.6% year-on-year in January, unchanged from December, with higher charges for construction and temporary staff services cited as principal drivers. The Bank of Japan has wound down its massive stimulus program and raised short-term rates to 0.75%, and officials say they are prepared to lift borrowing cost…
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has called for $13.5 billion in refunds after the Supreme Court struck down the tariffs imposed by President Trump last year. Hochul said the duties increased costs for the average New York household by $1,751 over the last year and damaged small firms and farmers. Her demand follows similar calls from the governors o…
Two senior Federal Reserve officials signaled on Tuesday that they do not see a pressing need to alter the current stance of interest-rate policy in the near term. While markets anticipate further rate cuts later this year, officials said they need clearer evidence that inflation pressures are returning to the Fed's 2% goal before moving. Both note…
A full panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit questioned the Trump administration’s contention that federal courts lack authority to prevent large-scale dismissals of staff at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB has been largely inactive since last February while the administration pursues court approval to dr…
Equities moved higher on Tuesday as investors appeared to reassess recent AI-driven selling, while a surprise adjustment to U.S. tariff policy and anticipation of Nvidia's quarterly results added to market momentum. Strength in Asian markets and semiconductors contrasted with weakness in Treasuries at the short end and declines in commodities.
Workday projected fiscal 2027 annual subscription revenue below analyst forecasts, signaling weaker new client acquisition as companies trim technology budgets amid economic uncertainty and higher interest rates. The company's quarterly results showed total revenue slightly above estimates and subscription revenue in line with expectations, while i…
Pierre Yared, acting chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, dismissed a weekend research paper portraying a 2028 rapid-AI scenario as 'science fiction.' Speaking after an address at the National Association for Business Economics in Washington and in a subsequent interview, Yared argued the report's claim that AI-driven productivity…
Anthropic has refused to relax rules restricting military uses of its AI, after a meeting between its CEO and the U.S. Defense Secretary. Pentagon officials told the company it must either be labeled a supply-chain risk or face legal measures that would force policy changes, and gave Anthropic a deadline to respond.
Investors are watching President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address closely as it arrives amid recent market turbulence and just days after the Supreme Court struck down his emergency-powers tariffs. Market participants warn that discussion of topics from trade policy to Iran or new affordability measures - including proposed 'Trump accounts…
