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.
2,044 total articles
Kenneth Rogoff, a Harvard economist and former IMF chief economist, said the Federal Reserve's dollar swap line facilities - emergency dollar lending to foreign central banks - could be weaponised by the Trump administration. Rogoff suggested the tool could be leveraged in trade disputes, noting existing concerns about erratic U.S. policy since the…
The S&P 500 climbed past 7,000 points for the first time on Wednesday, propelled by strong investor appetite for AI-driven growth and expectations of robust Big Tech results alongside prospects for monetary easing. Technology stocks, which make up nearly half the index, have been central to the rally while markets also factor in potential Federal R…
The Federal Reserve is widely anticipated to hold its policy rate steady on Wednesday after three consecutive 25-basis point reductions. Recent data on inflation and jobs offer mixed signals, and market participants will be closely monitoring Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference for comments on a Department of Justice investigation and the in…
Ro, the telehealth provider, reported a surge in new users seeking the recently introduced Wegovy pill for weight loss, including men who had avoided the injectable form. Company CEO Zach Reitano attributed the uptick to the pill's convenience and an introductory price point. Ro is also preparing a high-profile Super Bowl commercial and a broader h…
U.S. electric vehicle charging networks expanded rapidly in 2025 with roughly 11,300 ultra-fast charging cords added, a 48% rise from 2024. Data show growing deployment of chargers capable of 250 kW and above, particularly in the fourth quarter, where nearly one in four new installs reached that threshold. These high-power units can typically add a…
Germany's government has reduced its GDP growth projections for 2026 and 2027, pointing to heightened uncertainty in global trade. The economy ministry's annual report highlights stronger domestic momentum supporting a cyclical recovery while noting that external headwinds are easing. Fiscal measures, including a large infrastructure fund approved …
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…
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…
A Reuters poll of economists projects Turkey's consumer prices will climb 4.32% in January, boosted by the annual minimum wage increase and multiple new-year price changes. The median forecast sees annual inflation easing to 30.0% in January, with a range of 29.9% to 30.4%. Economists note measurement challenges from annual basket-weight changes an…
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…
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.
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.
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 …
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…
India's industrial production expanded 7.8% year-on-year in December, driven by gains in manufacturing, mining and electricity generation, according to government data released on Wednesday. The print outpaced economists' forecasts of a 5.5% rise and followed a revised 7.2% increase in November. While December showed broad-based strength, output fo…
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.
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…
U.S. equity futures were modestly higher ahead of a busy session that includes the Federal Reserve's policy decision and a dense schedule of corporate earnings. Traders expect the Fed to hold rates steady while attention turns to after-hours reports from major technology firms. Meanwhile, gold surged to a fresh record, and China approved initial pu…
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 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…
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…
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 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…
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…
Thailand's central bank will impose a daily cap on gold trading to curb fast-rising inflows that have contributed to a strong baht, the bank governor said. The measure aims to reduce currency volatility and protect the competitiveness of export and tourism sectors while authorities seek higher growth and structural reforms.
