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 government proposal to introduce a funded pension component and link retirement age to life expectancy aims to relieve long-term pressure on Germany’s pay-as-you-go system. While the measures could reduce future burdens on younger cohorts, analysts warn the transition will still leave those under 45 carrying a significant share of pension costs a…
Rising memory and storage costs tied to growth in AI data centres are forcing consumer electronics makers to pass through higher prices, a development highlighted by Apple’s decision to raise prices on iPads and MacBooks while keeping iPhone pricing intact. Micron’s strong results and $22 billion of customer supply commitments underline tightening …
The U.S. dollar has strengthened entering the second half of 2026, rising about 3% in the first half as investors bet on further Federal Reserve rate hikes and flock to American assets tied to the AI-led economic upswing. The move has pushed the dollar to multi-decade highs versus some currencies, encouraged record inflows into U.S. equities, and f…
The Japanese yen held steady near a 40-year low against the U.S. dollar on Friday, halting a sharp upward move in the greenback. Market participants recalibrated expectations for Federal Reserve rate hikes after U.S. inflation figures met forecasts and central bank officials offered conflicting views on future policy direction. While the dollar ind…
South Korea is initiating a historic transition to continuous, 24-hour currency trading starting July 6, prompting a massive operational overhaul for its banking sector. To secure coveted developed-market status and attract global capital, regulators are removing longstanding currency controls, including permits for offshore investors to hold won a…
Annual core inflation in Tokyo accelerated to 1.6% in June, maintaining a trajectory beneath the Bank of Japan’s target threshold. The data underscores mounting price pressures, largely attributed to elevated energy costs stemming from Middle East conflict. This metrics serve as critical inputs for the BOJ’s impending policy deliberations, where po…
Global markets experienced a day of modest reversals on Thursday, as the dollar's recent rally and a slump in oil prices paused for consolidation. Equity performance varied significantly by region and sector, with Asian and European markets posting gains while Wall Street faced headwinds from weakness in megacap technology stocks. Despite the turbu…
The White House is preparing to nominate Adam Candeub, currently general counsel at the Federal Communications Commission, to head the Justice Department's antitrust division. The move follows internal notifications to Justice Department staff and a recent meeting between Candeub and President Donald Trump. The nomination will require Senate confir…
Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said inflation remains too high and moved back his projection for achieving the Fed's 2% inflation goal from 2027 to 2028. He expects inflation to ease to 3.5% this year, described monetary policy as "well positioned," and forecast U.S. growth of 2.25% with unemployment falling to 4% in 2028.…
Mexico's central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 6.50%, a move that matched economists' expectations. The board voted unanimously, and the bank slightly lowered its inflation forecast for the second quarter of 2026 while maintaining its projection that inflation will reach the 3% target in the second quarter of 2027.
The Bank of Canada reported broad public support for retaining its 2% inflation target after consultations, while many participants said the consumer price index does not reflect the prices they encounter in daily life. That gap has eroded confidence in the CPI figure and in the central bank. Canada’s headline inflation climbed to 3.2% in May, driv…
The International Monetary Fund said a private international audit of Senegal’s payment arrears could be among measures to address the country’s debt difficulties, while also urging completion of comprehensive audits and stronger budgetary commitment controls. Senegal’s Finance Ministry said it has not discussed a private international audit with t…
Crude prices moved higher and markets were caught off guard after reports that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, the Ever Lovely, in the Strait of Hormuz. The hit - which damaged the ship’s bridge but caused no casualties or environmental harm - came days after a 60-day U.S.-Iran accord aimed at reope…
British government bond yields fell to their lowest readings since April 17 as markets reduced expectations for near-term Bank of England rate increases. Two-year gilts led the decline, while longer-dated bonds lagged peers in the U.S. and Germany. Traders cited easing oil prices and unresolved questions about inflation and central bank policy as t…
Brazil's central bank moved to clarify its policy stance after markets interpreted new language as extending the time frame for returning inflation to target. The bank cut the Selic rate by 25 basis points to 14.25% for the third consecutive meeting and said aiming to reach the inflation target by end-2027 would imply inflation falling below the 3%…
The International Monetary Fund said the U.S. economy is exhibiting solid growth momentum, with first-quarter GDP revised up to a 2.1% annualized pace. IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack said inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal but is expected to ease, endorsing the Fed’s recent decision to hold its policy rate and welcoming the new Fed…
The International Monetary Fund said the U.S. economy sustained solid growth momentum and forecast that inflation will reach the Federal Reserve's 2% objective by the end of 2027. IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack cited an upward revision to first-quarter GDP, a recovery in government consumption, strong investment and elevated labor productivity while …
A cargo vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, sustaining damage to its bridge southeast of Dahit, Oman, the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported. There were no reported casualties or environmental consequences. The incident followed multiple commercial ships reversing course and coincided with radio broadcasts al…
Iran is pursuing a plan to collect roughly $40 billion a year by imposing charges for security, safety and environmental services on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has examined international models and is presenting the proposal to regional neighbors and China; U.S. and Gulf officials have publicly rejected tolling of international…
Brazil's central bank governor Gabriel Galipolo told reporters that recent wording in the bank's policy statement created confusion because policymakers tried to pack too much explanation into limited space. He and director Picchetti stressed that the edits do not represent a change in monetary policy, and argued that offering forward guidance is u…
Brazil's tax take for May rose 10.69% in real terms from the same month a year earlier, reaching 266.793 billion reais ($51.32 billion), the highest May collection on record, official figures show. The revenue boost reflected an exceptional 7 billion reais in corporate income tax payments and 1 billion reais from a temporary export tax on oil and f…
The International Monetary Fund reported a decline in energy, fertilizer and base metal prices following a U.S.-Iran agreement to halt hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while warning that a full return to pre-conflict price levels will take time. The Fund will reassess its April growth scenarios on July 8 and singled out vulnerable net e…
The International Monetary Fund reports that energy and commodity prices have retreated following the U.S.-Iran agreement to stop hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but cautions that full normalization of prices and Gulf trade flows will require time. The Fund's next World Economic Outlook update on July 8 will determine whether to retain…
The International Monetary Fund says Argentina has met its obligations to the Fund and the IMF is confident it will continue to do so, while IMF staff recently warned that the country's repayment capacity is exposed to exceptional risks tied to low liquid reserves, large near-term debt maturities and potential volatility ahead of the 2027 President…
Brazil’s central bank signaled that the ultimate scope of interest rate reductions in the current easing cycle will be guided by new economic data. Interim economic policy director Paulo Picchetti said policymakers are avoiding explicit forward guidance to retain flexibility, pointed to an upward revision in the 2026 GDP forecast that still implies…
