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.
2,048 total articles
Rising oil prices tied to hostilities in and around the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with market reactions and early signs of shifts in consumer behaviour, are reducing investor confidence that Kevin Warsh could rapidly guide the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. With inflation already above target and oil pushing headline prices higher, official…
Investors are closely watching the Federal Reserve's meeting this week for guidance on how the recent escalation in the Iran conflict and the associated jump in oil prices could alter the timeline for interest-rate reductions. With U.S. crude climbing toward $120 a barrel and equity volatility rising, market bets on multiple rate cuts this year hav…
New yuan lending in China dropped to 900 billion yuan in February, a steep fall from January’s 4.71 trillion yuan and below the median analyst projection of 979 billion yuan. The decline reflects subdued credit demand amid a prolonged property downturn and cautious corporate behaviour, even as policymakers reaffirm a moderately loose monetary stanc…
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group will carefully manage funding profiles when extending new loans as Japanese banks consider supporting projects under Tokyo's $550 billion U.S. investment package. State-backed agencies JBIC and NEXI are set to provide equity, loans and loan guarantees, while MUFG's CFO warned that a rapid rise in long-term lending cou…
President Donald Trump told fellow G7 leaders during a virtual meeting that Iran was 'about to surrender' and that a recent U.S. operation had removed a major threat. He also said Iran's internal leadership was so unsettled it could not formally capitulate. The comments come amid continuing regional strikes, the downing of a U.S. KC-135 tanker, and…
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 aerial refueling tanker crashed in western Iraq on March 12, killing four of the six crew members aboard. Two personnel remain the subject of active rescue operations. U.S. Central Command said the cause of the incident is under investigation and confirmed the aircraft was not lost to hostile or friendly fire.
Global oil benchmarks remain elevated amid continuing U.S.-Israeli military action in Iran, pushing Brent above $100 a barrel and contributing to softer U.S. equity futures. Traders and analysts are watching inflation gauges closely - including the U.S. personal consumption expenditures price index - while gold struggles as the dollar strengthens. …
Analysts at Wolfe Research warn that higher gasoline costs could significantly weaken the consumer stimulus expected from the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). Using a baseline where gasoline averages $3.10 per gallon in 2025, a sustained 20% rise would produce roughly a $65 billion annual drag on consumer budgets, offsetting about one-third of the $1…
The war in the Middle East has sharply lifted energy prices, forcing global central banks into a difficult policy juncture. With major monetary authorities from the United States to Europe, Japan and Brazil set to meet in the coming days, markets are re-pricing the likelihood and timing of rate moves amid renewed inflation concerns and weaker growt…
The European Central Bank convenes next week amid a renewed energy shock tied to war in the Middle East. Surging oil and gas prices have pushed traders to bet on at least one rate hike this year, complicating an outlook that weeks ago suggested policymakers were in a comfortable position. The bank must weigh uncertain energy price trajectories, the…
Markets are wrestling with the prospect that a protracted conflict in the Middle East will keep oil near $100 per barrel, prompting intensified selloffs in bonds and equities, stronger US dollar demand and a reassessment of central bank rate paths. With leaders of Iran, Israel and the United States remaining defiant as the confrontation nears two w…
BofA Global Research has revised its timetable for Bank of England rate cuts, moving its initial forecast from March to June and now projecting quarter-point reductions in June and September. The change reflects a renewed inflation risk driven by higher energy prices amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Several other major banks have also…
Japan appears to have less capacity to stabilise the yen now than during previous episodes when authorities stepped into markets to counter speculative selling. This time, officials say the currency's slide is driven more by safe-haven demand for dollars and higher crude prices linked to the Iran war, rather than by the large, speculative short pos…
A quarterly Reuters poll conducted from March 2 to 12 found that Chinese home prices are projected to drop 4.0% in 2026 - a sharper fall than prior forecasts - then level off in 2027 before inching up 0.5% in 2028. The survey highlights ongoing strain in the property sector, weak investment and sales this year, and analysts' calls for stronger poli…
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has proposed rules that would require banks to maintain a baseline of cash services, including more ATMs and lower withdrawal fees. The plan, opened for public consultation last month, aims to protect vulnerable groups and payment-system resilience but has been met with strong opposition from banks and industry group…
Asian share markets dropped on Friday as a resurgence in geopolitical tensions involving Iran kept crude near $100 a barrel, amplifying inflation concerns and dampening hopes for monetary easing. The U.S. dollar strengthened as investors sought safety, while bond yields rose and markets prepared for a busy week of central bank meetings.
Chinese lenders are reallocating credit to technology and innovation-focused firms in response to recent government commitments to expand artificial intelligence, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. Banks report prioritizing tech lending, setting higher growth targets and exploring cheaper credit options for startups. Data show outstanding l…
President Donald Trump called on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates immediately, posting "He should be dropping Interest Rates, IMMEDIATELY," on Truth Social. Yet markets have moved in the opposite direction since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, pricing fewer rate cuts as oil jumps and inflation expectations …
Global equities slid sharply as oil surged 10%, U.S. and European bond yields rose and the dollar strengthened, signaling increased pressure on consumers and companies. The move has erased investors' expectations for Fed rate cuts in 2026 and accelerated a global fixed-income selloff. Central banks face a packed schedule of meetings next week as po…
The executive director of the Port of Los Angeles said the nation's busiest container gateway has so far avoided the supply chain disruptions and congestion seen in Middle Eastern shipping lanes following U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran. February import volumes rose 5% year-on-year and the port recorded its second-highest monthly throughput on record, …
Argentina recorded a 2.9% monthly inflation rate in February, the same rate as January 2026 and slightly above analysts' 2.7% forecast. Over the 12 months through February, consumer prices were up 33.1%, higher than both the previous month's 32.4% and analysts' 32.7% expectation. Rent and utilities led monthly increases, while food and non-alcoholi…
Bond markets have reduced expectations for Federal Reserve interest-rate reductions this year amid rising oil prices and renewed inflation worries. On Thursday swaps tied to Fed meetings priced in only 20 basis points of easing by year-end, and U.S. Treasury yields moved higher. President Donald Trump urged an immediate rate cut, criticizing Fed Ch…
U.S. banking regulators under President Donald Trump are preparing to release a revised draft of the Basel III 'endgame' capital rule this month, restarting a heated debate over how to measure risk and how much capital large banks must retain. The rule, first proposed in 2023 under the Biden administration, drew intense opposition from Wall Street …
U.S. and Western intelligence sources told reporters that Russian services have been supplying Iran with satellite imagery and guidance on drone targeting to assist strikes on American forces and regional allies. Officials say the degree to which the material is actionable or regularly supplied is uncertain. Observers note parallels between Iranian…
Anthropic has launched the Claude Partner Network and pledged $100 million in 2026 to back organizations that help enterprises deploy its Claude AI model. The initiative includes training, technical support, co-marketing funds, a new certification for architects, a code modernization starter kit, and plans to expand the partner-facing team fivefold…
