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.
5,922 total articles
U.S. stock futures were largely subdued as markets weighed renewed remarks from President Donald Trump suggesting serious negotiations with Iran and as investors prepared for key corporate earnings. Oil prices remain markedly higher than before the joint U.S.-Israeli offensive in late February, keeping energy and inflation risks on the table. Meanw…
Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters warned that incoming Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh confronts a difficult mix of persistent inflation and political calls to lower interest rates. Winters said Warsh will be judged harshly if he does not move to cut borrowing costs even as U.S. consumer prices remain elevated. Market pricing and some Fed offic…
Bank of Japan officials and market participants say the central bank could slow or pause its reduction of JGB holdings if financial market stress intensifies, even as it prepares to raise short-term rates at its June meeting. The BOJ’s taper plan for fiscal 2027 will be reviewed in June amid persistent yield volatility and investor outreach that co…
Thailand’s cabinet has approved new borrowing of 200 billion baht to finance a four-month consumer subsidy scheme aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures linked to the Middle East war. The package covers roughly 43 million people, provides 1,000 baht per person per month from June through September, and includes targeted price subsidies. Officials…
A Bank of America monthly poll showed global fund managers increased their allocations to equities by the largest margin on record in May, citing stronger earnings prospects and the possibility of Federal Reserve rate cuts. The survey of 200 managers with $517 billion in combined assets also highlighted declining cash buffers, low expectations of a…
A fresh wave of selling in U.S. Treasuries shows signs of persistence as sticky inflation data, shifting rate expectations and a different mix of buyers combine to keep yields rising. Market participants are reassessing the levels at which they will re-enter, with some strategists warning that the 10-year could move toward 4.75% and that 30-year yi…
A recent market survey indicates China is set to hold its benchmark lending rates steady for a twelfth month in May, as plentiful interbank cash and subdued lending activity lessen the urgency for policy loosening. Short-term interbank rates are trading below policy guidance, the People’s Bank of China reiterated a 'moderately loose' stance while i…
Global markets remained cautious as U.S. President Donald Trump said he had paused a planned strike on Iran and indicated a 'very good chance' of a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear programme. Oil eased but stayed near $110 a barrel, more than 50% above pre-war levels. Equities were subdued across Asia and the U.S., while bond yields in the G7 approach…
Recent data indicates a modest uptick in Australian consumer sentiment for the month of May. According to the Westpac-Melbourne Institute survey, the primary index rose by 3.5%, reaching a level of 83. This follows a significant downturn in April, where the index experienced a 12.5% decline to its lowest point in over two years, driven largely by a…
Meeting minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) released on Tuesday indicate that policymakers viewed current interest rates as restrictive following three increases this year. The board deliberated between maintaining existing levels or implementing a 25-basis-point hike to reach 4.35%. This proposed move would effectively reverse the ent…
The Australian equity market staged a significant recovery on Tuesday, reversing recent losses as diplomatic developments regarding Iran provided relief to global traders. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose by 1%, reaching 8,594, representing its most substantial daily increase since early May. This upward movement follows a 1.5% decline recorded on Monday…
Japan's economy demonstrated unexpected resilience during the first quarter, outperforming market projections thanks to a recovery in private consumption and robust export activity. According to preliminary government data released on Tuesday, gross domestic product (GDP) expanded at an annualized rate of 2.1% for the January-March period. This fig…
Data released on Tuesday indicates that Japan's economy achieved an annualized growth rate of 2.1% during the first quarter. This performance suggests the nation was navigating a robust recovery path prior to the recent energy shocks stemming from conflict in the Middle East. The reported increase in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) exceeded the m…
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has expressed growing concern regarding the speed at which rising energy costs could impact consumer price indices. According to Sarah Hunter, an assistant governor at the RBA, the current state of the domestic economy is highly stretched, which may accelerate the pass-through effect of energy shocks into broader…
In a significant shift in regulatory enforcement, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Monday that it has rescinded its long-standing policy which prevented individuals and corporations involved in settlements from publicly refuting allegations of misconduct. Under the previous framework, defendants settling enforcement ac…
Equities experienced a broad retreat on Monday as an intensifying global bond rout pushed yields to historic levels. The spike in yields has clouded the economic outlook, creating headwinds for stock markets and dampening enthusiasm for the ongoing artificial intelligence rally ahead of critical earnings reports from major players like Nvidia. As i…
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released its latest Treasury International Capital (TIC) data for March 2026, detailing a substantial net inflow from foreign entities into the United States. When aggregating net foreign acquisitions of long-term securities, short-term U.S. securities, and various banking flows, the total net TIC inflow reac…
Left-wing presidential contender Roberto Sanchez has named Pedro Francke, a moderate economist who briefly served as economy minister under former president Pedro Castillo, to head the team charged with drafting his economic plan. The technical group's remit includes reviewing resource exploitation contracts, proposing a 33% minimum wage increase a…
Yields on the 30-year US Treasury approached their highest levels in almost three years as investors balanced concerns about inflation and fiscal pressures against intermittent optimism over progress in talks to end hostilities between the US and Iran. The long bond moved sharply in Asian and New York trading as reports on negotiations and official…
U.S. banking regulators are set to disclose a proposal this week to change how examiners evaluate banks under the CAMELS framework. The plan would refocus supervisory attention toward a bank's financial condition and material risks, and would revisit the treatment of the 'management' component, amid industry concern that it can encompass immaterial…
Former Federal Reserve officials speaking at a financial markets conference urged incoming Chair Kevin Warsh to prioritize clear principles for using the Fed’s balance sheet and to consider shifting its composition toward short-term bills rather than concentrating on headline reductions in size. They argued that political attention on the $6.7 tril…
West Marine Inc., a 58-year-old boating supply retailer, filed for bankruptcy protection citing falling sales as consumers cut back on outdoor recreation spending. The company has an agreement with senior creditors to pursue a sale during court protection or transfer control to lenders owed $251 million. West Marine operates about 200 stores, emplo…
Merck & Co. has raised $6 billion via an investment-grade bond issuance to repay short-term borrowings used to finance its recent acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals. The notes were issued in seven tranches, including a 30-year security priced tighter than initial guidance, and were arranged by four major banks. Proceeds will retire borrowings und…
Japan's finance minister said the government will take conditions in the bond market into account when designing funding for new spending tied to the Middle East conflict, after the prime minister backtracked on compiling an extra budget and super long bond yields hit fresh highs. Details on the size of the measures and funding methods remain undec…
Colorado health authorities are investigating the death of an adult resident from Sin Nombre hantavirus in Douglas County. Officials stress the case is not linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak that produced 11 confirmed and probable cases, including two confirmed deaths and one suspected death. Limited personal details have been released; …
