Economy

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.

Articles

364 total articles

India-EU Free Trade Agreement Widens Market Access, German Bank Says

India-EU Free Trade Agreement Widens Market Access, German Bank Says

India and the European Union have concluded a comprehensive free trade agreement that, according to Deutsche Bank analysts, effectively opens the European market to Indian companies. The pact cuts or removes tariffs on the large majority of goods traded between the two economies, provides markedly expanded access for European-made vehicles into Ind…

Germany trims growth outlook for 2026 and 2027 amid trade uncertainty

Germany trims growth outlook for 2026 and 2027 amid trade uncertainty

The German government has lowered its GDP growth projections for 2026 and 2027, citing rising uncertainty in international trade. The economy ministry said domestic momentum is supporting a cyclical recovery even as external headwinds persist. Fiscal measures, including a large infrastructure fund, are expected to provide a meaningful boost to grow…

Knesset set for opening vote on 2026 budget as coalition strains threaten stability

Knesset set for opening vote on 2026 budget as coalition strains threaten stability

Israel’s parliament moves to cast an initial vote on the 2026 state budget draft amid deepening rifts within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition. With the law requiring full approval by the end of March or a snap election being triggered, disputes over military conscription for ultra-Orthodox seminary students and sharp differences over w…

London Stocks Slip as Healthcare and Banks Weigh on FTSE 100

London Stocks Slip as Healthcare and Banks Weigh on FTSE 100

On Jan 28 the FTSE 100 declined as losses in healthcare and bank shares offset gains in miners and energy names. The domestically focused FTSE 250 rose, hitting its highest level since January 2022 earlier in the session. Market attention centred on corporate earnings and an awaited U.S. Federal Reserve policy update.

Rising Bank Lending Strengthens Case for Fed Rate Patience

Rising Bank Lending Strengthens Case for Fed Rate Patience

Stronger demand for bank credit, documented in recent surveys and quarterly bank reports, is easing financial conditions and could reduce urgency for the Federal Reserve to lower its policy rate. Policymakers remain focused on inflation and labor-market metrics, but growing lending activity provides an additional reason to hold rates for now.

Bank of Canada Poised to Keep Rates Unchanged as Economy Shows Resilience

Bank of Canada Poised to Keep Rates Unchanged as Economy Shows Resilience

The Bank of Canada is widely expected to keep its policy rate unchanged at 2.25% as recent economic data suggest the domestic economy is performing broadly in line with the central bank's projections, even with the limited effects of U.S. tariffs on specific sectors. Markets and economists largely anticipate a prolonged pause in policy adjustments …

Fed Poised to Pause on Rates as Policy Uncertainty Extends Into New Leadership

Fed Poised to Pause on Rates as Policy Uncertainty Extends Into New Leadership

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep its policy rate unchanged at its upcoming meeting, entering a pause that markets predict will last beyond upcoming leadership transitions. Recent data show labor market resilience and core inflation running well above the Fed's 2% goal, while policymakers remain divided on whether and how quickly addit…

ECB Officials Warn Rapid Euro Strength Could Weigh on Inflation

ECB Officials Warn Rapid Euro Strength Could Weigh on Inflation

European Central Bank officials expressed growing concern about the euro’s rapid gains against the U.S. dollar, saying the move could exert downward pressure on inflation even as price growth is already set to undershoot the ECB’s 2% goal. Officials flagged the exchange-rate shift as a factor that could influence policy settings in coming months.

Japan May Defer Direct Yen Intervention as U.S. Cooperation Curbs Sharp Declines

Japan May Defer Direct Yen Intervention as U.S. Cooperation Curbs Sharp Declines

A former Bank of Japan official involved in past market interventions said coordinated tactics, including suspected U.S. rate checks, have helped halt a one-sided slide in the yen. He argued that Tokyo may not need to carry out direct yen-buying intervention for now, warning that a direct intervention could push the currency higher and weigh on sto…

Albanese Reaffirms Plan to Reclaim Darwin Port Amid Chinese Warnings

Albanese Reaffirms Plan to Reclaim Darwin Port Amid Chinese Warnings

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated his government's intention to bring Darwin Port back into Australian hands, saying the move serves national interests. The port, leased to China’s Landbridge in 2015 for A$506 million under a 99-year arrangement, has drawn criticism and warnings from Beijing about possible economic consequences if a forced…

European Stocks Pause After Two-Day Rise as ASML Climbs to Record High

European Stocks Pause After Two-Day Rise as ASML Climbs to Record High

European equities paused after two consecutive sessions of gains as company earnings and management comments drove stock-specific moves. The STOXX 600 was flat as of 0804 GMT, with technology stocks advancing and ASML reaching a record share price on strong fourth-quarter bookings tied to AI demand. Volvo outperformed after a smaller-than-feared pr…

Euro Tops $1.20 Against Dollar, Underscoring Broader Currency Shifts

Euro Tops $1.20 Against Dollar, Underscoring Broader Currency Shifts

The euro has climbed to just over $1.20 versus the U.S. dollar, reaching its highest level since 2021 and capping a significant rally. The move reflects a combination of weaker dollar sentiment, geopolitical and policy frictions involving the United States, and European efforts to shore up long-term growth and security. The appreciation has implica…

Dollar Weakens as Markets Eye Possible U.S.-Japan Intervention and Fed Decision

Dollar Weakens as Markets Eye Possible U.S.-Japan Intervention and Fed Decision

The U.S. dollar slipped for a fourth consecutive session, sliding to a four-month low as traders monitored reports of coordinated foreign exchange checks between U.S. and Japanese authorities and awaited the Federal Reserve's policy decision. The yen rallied, other major currencies firmed, and market attention sharpened on trade-policy announcement…

Austrian Central Banker Says Further Euro Strength Could Prompt ECB Rate Cut

Austrian Central Banker Says Further Euro Strength Could Prompt ECB Rate Cut

Austrian central bank governor Martin Kocher told the Financial Times that the European Central Bank may need to consider another interest rate cut if the euro's continued appreciation begins to subdue inflation by lowering import prices. While describing recent euro gains as modest, Kocher said a stronger currency could undermine euro-zone competi…

Dollar Slide Accelerates After Presidential Remarks, Shakes FX and Commodities

Dollar Slide Accelerates After Presidential Remarks, Shakes FX and Commodities

A wave of dollar selling gathered pace after casual remarks from the U.S. president, amplifying moves that had already pushed the currency down sharply over the past year. The euro climbed past $1.20 for the first time in over four-and-a-half years and the Swiss franc reached a decade high. Investors and large funds are reducing dollar exposure, wh…

Hong Kong Home Prices Record First Annual Gain Since 2021

Hong Kong Home Prices Record First Annual Gain Since 2021

Hong Kong private residential prices rose 3.3% in 2025, the first annual increase since 2021, driven by interest rate reductions and falling housing supply. December prices rose 0.2% from November, marking a seventh straight monthly gain. Analysts say the market may be stabilizing but future direction depends on further rate moves, Sino-US tensions…

China Approves First Shipment of Nvidia H200 AI Chips, Sources Say

China Approves First Shipment of Nvidia H200 AI Chips, Sources Say

Chinese authorities have approved the import of an initial batch of Nvidia H200 artificial intelligence chips, according to two people familiar with the matter. The clearance, covering several hundred thousand units, was granted during the visit to China by Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang. The first tranche has been largely earmarked for three …

Gold Climbs Past $5,200 as Dollar Slides to Near Four-Year Lows

Gold Climbs Past $5,200 as Dollar Slides to Near Four-Year Lows

Gold vaulted above $5,200 per ounce for the first time as the dollar plunged toward four-year lows. Spot and futures contracts rose after a sharp advance the previous session, driven by dollar weakness tied in part to political remarks and ongoing geopolitical concerns. Other precious metals also recorded strong gains.