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
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has moved to increase its official cash rate (OCR) by 25 basis points, bringing the benchmark rate to 2.50%. This decision, aligned with market forecasts, underscores the central bank's commitment to bringing inflation back to its 1% to 3% target range. Policymakers indicated that monetary stimulus may need to…
The U.S. dollar maintained its position near the highest levels of the week against major currencies on Wednesday morning, driven by renewed geopolitical friction following U.S. military actions against Iran. The escalation has heightened safe-haven demand for the dollar while simultaneously pushing oil prices upward amid concerns over supply stabi…
Oil prices surged and bond futures declined on Wednesday following U.S. military strikes on Iran and the reimposition of trade sanctions. The geopolitical escalation, prompted by attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, has introduced fresh volatility into global financial markets. While commodity prices reacted sharply, equity indices experienc…
Japanese asset management firms are aggressively expanding their bond fund offerings to capitalize on a surge in international demand for yen-denominated debt. Driven by the Bank of Japan's policy normalization and rising yields, domestic players like Mizuho and Nomura are restructuring their operations to attract overseas institutional investors. …
Global equity markets retreated on Tuesday, mirroring European declines, as a broad-based sell-off in semiconductor stocks weighed heavily on investor sentiment. Concurrently, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East propelled crude oil prices upward, with traders closely monitoring developments in the Strait of Hormuz. Amidst this volat…
The International Monetary Fund has appointed Silvana Tenreyro as its next chief economist, a strategic move to guide the institution through a period of intensified global economic turbulence. Tenreyro, who brings extensive academic and policy experience, will replace Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas on August 10. Her background in network economics, mon…
Aaron Szabo, the EPA's top official for air pollution, plans to leave his post as assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation later this month. He informed staff on Tuesday, and the agency confirmed his upcoming departure. Szabo, who served in the role for about one year, led the agency through significant policy rollbacks including…
Oil futures climbed more than 3% midday on Tuesday after the United States revoked a general license that had permitted sales of Iranian crude. The decision followed recent strikes on three tankers in and near the Strait of Hormuz, an essential global energy transit lane, and comes amid ongoing but fragile negotiations between Washington and Tehran…
Marine Le Pen told broadcaster TF1 that she will stand in France's 2027 presidential election after an appeals court upheld her conviction for misusing EU funds but left her eligible to run. She said she will appeal the court ruling and asserted that voters will decide her fate, adding she will campaign "without electronic bracelet." This will be h…
The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects national electricity consumption will set a second straight record in 2025 and continue increasing in 2026 and 2027. Growth is tied to data centers supporting artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency activity, together with broader electrification. The EIA also forecasts changes in sectoral cons…
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that global crude production is projected to return to pre-war volumes by the end of 2026, with most production suspended by the conflict resuming by the first quarter of 2027. The EIA's forecast reflects a faster recovery than earlier expectations and includes revised Brent price estimates for 20…
A United Nations report warns that a $4 trillion annual financing gap must be closed if the Sustainable Development Goals are to be met by 2030. While the report records notable improvements across some indicators, it highlights deteriorating financing, rising debt, food insecurity and climate pressures that threaten progress.
A Massachusetts woman who operates the CatsOnACouch accounts says she was improperly turned away from a May event in Bangor where Vice President JD Vance was speaking. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Maine contends she followed registration procedures but was identified and excluded by officials, including armed U.S. Secret Service agents, be…
After years of high-profile litigation aimed at holding senior figures in the British tabloid industry to account, Prince Harry suffered a major legal setback when a High Court judge dismissed all 97 claims he and other claimants brought against Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail. The ruling highlights the limits of civil litigation…
Hedge funds ended June having achieved double-digit returns for the year so far, bolstered by stockpickers and fundamental funds that leaned into larger, momentum-driven positions and healthcare bets. Volatile trading in June, surging South Korean equities and losses on short positions trimmed gains, while systematic strategies posted modest monthl…
Bank of Japan board member Toichiro Asada said he will only support additional interest rate increases once inflation is clearly driven by domestic demand - notably rising wages - rather than cost pass-through alone. Speaking in his first interview since joining the BOJ, Asada reiterated concerns about geopolitical risks to output and employment an…
Economist Jim O'Neill, who has advised the likely next prime minister Andy Burnham, urged the incoming administration to be more willing to finance public investment through borrowing and to revisit rigid fiscal constraints. He recommended greater transparency for infrastructure appraisal and said that credible handling of long-standing problems co…
Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said inflation remains elevated but expects recent declines in oil prices to help moderate price gains in the near term. He stopped short of committing to a shift in interest-rate strategy, saying monetary policy is "well positioned" to meet the Fed’s goals and that officials must watch econo…
Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said he is slightly less worried about inflation in the near term because of declines in energy prices, particularly oil. While he expects energy costs to ease and pull down headline inflation, he reiterated that inflation remains too high and did not indicate any imminent shift in monetary p…
Statistics Canada reported that the country’s merchandise trade surplus expanded to C$4.2 billion in May from C$3.4 billion in April, driven by a record level of exports and a sharp increase in unwrought aluminum shipments. This marks the third straight month of surplus and the largest surplus in four years.
Canada recorded a merchandise trade surplus of C$4.24 billion in May, the largest in four years, driven by higher exports to the United States. Exports to the U.S. rose 1.5% to C$53.72 billion while imports from the U.S. declined. Gains in metal ores and non-metallic minerals, along with increases in consumer goods, industrial chemicals, and food p…
A French appellate court on Tuesday affirmed Marine Le Pen's conviction for misuse of European Union funds while reducing the scope of a ban on holding elected office. The court kept a three-year jail term, suspended two years of it, and imposed a one-year requirement to wear an electronic ankle monitor. The decision leaves open the possibility tha…
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey told the Financial Policy Committee that the risk of a significant correction in equity markets remains elevated, with valuation pressures extending beyond enthusiasm tied to artificial intelligence. He highlighted frontier AI as the most notable new risk since December and urged firms to follow UK guidance to…
Futures tied to Canada’s S&P/TSX 60 index rose modestly on Tuesday as market participants parsed new reports of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and the durability of AI-led demand for chips. Oil pushed higher after reports of missile strikes on commercial vessels, while gold weakened ahead of upcoming Federal Reserve minutes and on strength in the …
Deutsche Bank warns that the next UK government will face a tighter fiscal position than expected at the time of the March Spring Statement, reducing room to borrow and making tax rises more likely. Market moves, higher rates and energy prices have cut headroom under fiscal rules, while spending pressures and near-term risks leave borrowing as a co…
