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.
2,592 total articles
U.S. equity futures were largely muted on Monday as market participants positioned for a packed calendar that includes a two-day Federal Reserve meeting culminating in a rate decision, a fresh round of corporate earnings, and several political flashpoints. Investors are weighing a recent profit warning from a major chipmaker, a presidential threat …
A late-Friday rate check by the New York Federal Reserve that coincided with a sharp move in the yen has reduced the hurdle for intervention, yet market participants and policymakers see direct, coordinated Japan-U.S. dollar-selling as improbable for now. The episode reflects growing bilateral engagement on volatile currency moves, but domestic U.S…
The Bank of Japan warned that a weaker yen is increasingly feeding inflation, first through firms passing on higher import costs and later via second-round effects such as labour cost pass-through. The central bank kept rates unchanged but signalled vigilance and the potential for additional increases if currency weakness endures.
Since the finance minister's November budget statement, indicators suggest a modest improvement in UK economic activity: purchasing managers' surveys show the strongest business performance in months, consumer confidence has risen to levels not seen since mid-2024, and retail volumes posted an unexpectedly robust annual rise in December. However, t…
Spot gold surged to a record $5,092.70 per ounce amid heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty, and analysts say the metal has room to climb toward $6,000 this year. Ongoing central-bank accumulation, strong ETF inflows and robust retail interest in bars and coins underpin bullish forecasts, though observers flag potential short-lived corre…
The Japanese yen has dominated market attention after abrupt moves over the past sessions revived talk of coordinated U.S.-Japan currency intervention for the first time in 15 years. A pronounced intraday reversal left the yen near a four-month strong point against the dollar, unnerving investors and influencing Asian FX, Japanese equities and prec…
Gold pushed above $5,000 per ounce early Monday as a week of heightened geopolitical tensions and abrupt market moves drove investors toward safe-haven assets. The Japanese yen rebounded sharply after violent swings prompted talks of potential intervention, while equities and futures softened ahead of an influential Federal Reserve policy meeting.
Yoshihiko Noda, former finance minister and co-leader of Japan's largest opposition party, said that direct yen-buying by the government would have limited, unsustainable effects on the currency unless other major economies agree. He urged Tokyo to allay market fears by presenting a credible fiscal plan and protecting the central bank's ability to …
Japan's senior currency official, Atsushi Mimura, said the government will maintain close coordination with U.S. authorities on foreign exchange matters and will act appropriately, reiterating the September joint Japan-U.S. statement as the guiding framework. The remarks came after the yen jumped on Friday amid reported rate checks by the New York …
Vacancy numbers in the UK fell again in December and the rate of increase in advertised pay eased, according to an Adzuna survey. The portal reported a drop in listings from 745,448 in November to 716,791 in December, marking a sixth consecutive monthly decline and a 15% fall year-on-year. Average advertised salaries rose 6.8% year-on-year in Decem…
The Japanese yen rallied sharply on Jan 26, pushing the dollar down across major currencies as markets monitored signs of possible currency intervention and prepared for a key week of central bank decisions, including the Federal Reserve's rate announcement. Thin holiday trading amplified moves after Tokyo-focused comments from Japan's prime minist…
Gold surged to a fresh record, passing the $5,000 per ounce mark on Monday as investors sought refuge from rising geopolitical tensions. The metal has gained 64% in 2025, supported by U.S. monetary policy easing, sustained central bank purchases including a 14th consecutive month of buying by China in December, and record inflows into exchange-trad…
Analysts overwhelmingly expect the Monetary Authority of Singapore to maintain its current monetary policy settings at its upcoming review, citing robust semiconductor export demand and tame inflation. Singapore's GDP outperformed official forecasts in 2025, while mixed signals on price pressures leave room for differing views on near-term action.
Singapore’s central bank uses the exchange rate as its primary policy instrument, guiding a trade-weighted index of the Singapore dollar within an undisclosed policy band. This approach reflects the city-state’s heavy trade dependence and the outsized role imports play in domestic price formation. The Monetary Authority of Singapore adjusts three l…
Foreign exchange markets opened the week cautious about the possibility of official yen purchases after a volatile session that sent the currency sharply higher on Friday and a weekend statement from Japan’s prime minister warning against speculative or abnormal market moves. Thin trade in the early Asian hours, compounded by an Australian holiday,…
Analysts at Aubrey Capital Management say the recent earnings season reinforced enthusiasm for artificial intelligence while highlighting investor unease about margin pressure from large infrastructure investments. Market reactions differ depending on how firms fund AI builds: hyperscalers using cash are rewarded, while debt-funded strategies face …
Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics argues that, despite betting markets pointing to a likely Democratic takeover of the House, the structure of U.S. institutions and the president’s reliance on executive measures mean legislative changes would have limited ability to stop core elements of the Trump administration’s agenda. Senate arithmetic, filibu…
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government will act against speculative or abnormal market moves following a sharp rebound in the yen and recent volatility in Japan government bonds. The yen suddenly jumped after rate checks by the New York Federal Reserve, a move that some traders linked to an increased chance of coordinated U.S.-Japan inte…
Global markets began the year focused on geopolitical disruptions but are poised to pivot toward corporate profit trajectories and central bank policy this week. A heavy slate of S&P 500 earnings, including several megacap names, will test lofty valuations and the promise that AI investments will translate into margins. At the same time, the Federa…
The U.S. Supreme Court, after hearing emergency arguments over President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, seems reluctant to provide a broad decision. Legal observers say the likely outcome is a limited order that preserves the lower court’s injunction and sends the case back for additional factual development, l…
UBS has rebalanced its consumer sector weighting by trimming exposure to U.S. consumers and increasing exposure to European consumers. The move reflects contrasting macro trends: weakening wage and savings dynamics in the U.S. that curb near-term consumption growth, versus healthier balance sheets, residual excess savings and easing energy pressure…
The U.S. administration has imposed a 25% tariff on certain artificial intelligence processors after a nine-month semiconductor probe, drawing attention to efforts to boost domestic chip production and reduce reliance on foreign sources. White House clarifications limit the levy’s scope for data-center imports and give Commerce Secretary Howard Lut…
Morgan Stanley analysts say momentum for equities tied to the United Arab Emirates is likely to continue into 2026, but after a strong 2025 the threshold for beating expectations has risen. The bank upgraded Dubai Taxi and raised outlooks on ADNOC Distribution and Empower, while lowering expectations for tolls operator Salik as some one-off drivers…
The New York Federal Reserve carried out rate checks on the dollar/yen pair around midday on Friday, prompting a swift drop in the dollar against the yen. The checks - conducted by the NY Fed acting as fiscal agent for the U.S. Treasury - coincided with market caution about potential intervention as the yen neared 160 per dollar. The Bank of Japan …
Silver has reached a historic peak above $100 per ounce, while gold is approaching the $5,000 mark as investors increasingly seek refuge in safe-haven assets. This surge is fueled by geopolitical unrest, concerns over tariffs, and potential U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Concurrently, platinum and palladium prices have also recorded signi…
