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.
4,088 total articles
South Africa’s unemployment rate climbed to 32.7% in the first quarter, up from 31.4% in the prior quarter and above the median economist forecast of 31.7%. The tally of unemployed people reached 8.1 million, with notable job losses in construction and community and social services while manufacturing and mining recorded employment gains. Rising pr…
Consumer prices in Brazil rose 0.67% in April from March, bringing annual inflation to 4.39%. Food and fuel costs were the primary drivers. Policymakers face added uncertainty as subsidies, tax cuts and a debt-renegotiation program for households coincide with strong consumer demand and tight monetary policy.
A monthly survey published by the Central Bank shows Chilean economists anticipate the policy rate will be left unchanged at 4.50% at the next meeting. Forecasts for growth, the peso and inflation are broadly steady, with a small upward revision to the 2027 inflation outlook compared with the previous survey.
New data from MSCI indicates that over 10% of loans held by private credit funds have been marked down by at least 50%, a level MSCI associates with deep borrower distress or imminent restructuring. The report points to a sustained period of relatively high interest rates as a contributing factor. Writedowns are highest since the post-COVID-19 peri…
Australia's Treasury has modelled a severe scenario in its budget papers in which an escalation of the conflict in Iran disrupts regional energy and export infrastructure, lifting oil to $200 per barrel in the July-September window and triggering a quarterly contraction, a sharp rise in inflation and higher unemployment.
Government data released on Tuesday showed India’s year-on-year consumer price inflation rose to 3.48% in April, lifted by firmer food prices. Economists warn that elevated crude prices linked to the Middle East conflict, a weaker rupee, fertiliser cost pressures and the prospect of a below-normal monsoon raise the risk of higher inflation ahead, t…
OpenAI is granting select European companies access to its newest models, including GPT-5.5-Cyber, through a program aimed at equipping trusted defenders with tools for identifying and responding to vulnerabilities. The initiative covers firms across finance, telecommunications, energy and public services, and coincides with broader company moves t…
The Kremlin says government actions have secured macroeconomic stability even after the Economy Ministry cut GDP growth forecasts for 2026 and 2027. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak pointed to a 2029 growth projection of 2.4%. Officials attribute recent weakness to a combination of factors including the war in Ukraine, Western sanctions, high …
Russia's Economy Ministry reduced its forecast for 2026 GDP growth to 0.4% from a prior estimate of 1.3%, and lowered the 2027 projection to 1.4% from 2.8%, the Kremlin said on Tuesday. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak indicated growth could reach 2.4% in 2029. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin remains closely invol…
The Australian government will overhaul long-standing tax settings for property investors and trusts, removing the 50% capital gains tax discount for most assets from July 1, 2027, and restricting negative gearing for residential property to new builds. Transitional rules and exemptions are included for certain purchases, widely held vehicles and t…
The Australian government is proposing sweeping changes to the taxation of residential property investments that Treasury modelling indicates would shave roughly two percentage points off house price growth over a short period. The measures - restricting negative gearing to newly built homes and removing existing capital gains tax discounts - are i…
U.S. equity futures edged lower as a persistent deadlock between Washington and Tehran undermines hopes for an imminent ceasefire. Brent crude climbed back above $105 a barrel, amplifying inflation concerns ahead of U.S. consumer price data. Separately, Republican officials are scrutinizing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s business links ahead of a possible…
UK government bond yields rose sharply and the pound weakened on reports that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is consulting colleagues about his future after a significant local election setback and resignations by ministerial aides. The 10-year gilt yield jumped to 5.11% and the 30-year yield approached levels last seen in 1998, while the FTSE 100 and…
The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran is exerting mounting pressure on global financial markets and real economies. Asian currencies have seen steep declines, Japan's yen is under renewed strain, food and energy inflation risks are resurfacing, and the airline industry is confronting sharply higher jet fuel costs. Bond markets hav…
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters in Tokyo that the United States and Japan continue to maintain constant and robust communication to address undesirable and excessive currency volatility. His comments followed a meeting with Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama in which both officials reiterated close coordination on excha…
Global markets are oscillating between cautious optimism and risk aversion as ceasefire negotiations falter. A U.S. proposal to end hostilities was rejected by Tehran, prompting President Donald Trump to say the ceasefire with Iran was "on life support." The setback lifted oil prices, strengthened the dollar on safe-haven flows and kept bond yields…
A poll of 17 economists conducted between May 6 and 12 indicates Malaysia’s economy likely expanded 5.3% year-on-year in the January-March quarter, down from 6.3% in the final quarter of 2025. Household spending supported by fuel subsidies and gains from the global semiconductor upcycle helped sustain growth, while mining and quarrying contracted a…
U.S. consumer inflation is expected to have accelerated in April for a second consecutive month, driven by higher fuel costs from the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and a one-time catch-up in rent measures after last year’s government shutdown disrupted data collection. The April Consumer Price Index report is forecast to show both a notable monthly ga…
The U.S. dollar maintained its position during Tuesday's trading as prospects for a lasting peace in the Middle East diminished. Heightened uncertainty regarding the continuation of a ceasefire has pressured global markets, driving oil prices upward and fueling concerns that persistent inflationary pressures may necessitate prolonged high interest …
U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly evaluating a serious return to major combat operations against Iran as diplomatic efforts to secure peace continue to stall. According to reports on Monday evening, the administration's patience has waned due to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz and what the President perceives as a fragmented Ira…
Economic momentum across a group of 11 Pacific Island nations is projected to encounter significant headwinds, according to the latest Pacific Economic Update from the World Bank. The report indicates a downward trajectory for regional growth, which is expected to reach a low point of 2.8% in 2026. This deceleration follows a period of relatively r…
Instructure, the parent company behind the widely utilized educational software Canvas, has issued a public apology following a significant cybersecurity breach. The incident, which involved unauthorized access by a hacking group, resulted in the theft of student information and caused operational disruptions for academic institutions using the pla…
Kevin Warsh, the individual selected by President Donald Trump to lead the Federal Reserve, successfully passed a critical procedural milestone in the Senate on Monday. This cloture vote brings his nomination significantly closer to formal confirmation and sets the stage for a leadership transition from current Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whose tenure…
Australia is preparing to present a federal budget that anticipates a significantly narrower deficit than previously forecasted. This fiscal adjustment comes as the government capitalizes on unexpected revenue windfalls driven by commodities. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is expected to deliver the budget details in parliament, outlining a strategy that a…
Global stock markets reached unprecedented levels on Monday, propelled by a continued surge in artificial intelligence-related optimism. This rally occurred despite significant headwinds, including a fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, rising oil prices, and increasing bond yields. Major indices such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit new highs…
