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.
5,124 total articles
Surveys for May show the conflict with Iran has dented European factory demand and driven raw material costs to their steepest increase in four years, even as many Asian manufacturing economies expanded output to stockpile supplies. Regional PMI readings diverged: eurozone activity cooled but remained in growth territory, while several Asian countr…
U.S. equity futures moved higher on Monday, extending a rally that pushed major averages to record closes last week, even as a new round of strikes between the U.S. and Iran undercut momentum toward a ceasefire extension. Brent crude climbed, staying above pre-war levels, while investors awaited U.S. ISM manufacturing data. Separately, Nvidia intro…
A monthly European Central Bank consumer survey for April showed household inflation expectations holding steady or easing across several horizons, despite headline inflation jumping to 3% on higher oil prices. One-year expectations remained at 4.0%, three-year expectations eased to 2.9% from 3.0%, and five-year expectations were unchanged at 2.4%.…
The S&P Global Eurozone Manufacturing PMI dipped to 51.6 in May from 52.2 in April, signaling continued expansion but slower momentum. New orders stagnated, export demand fell, and input costs rose at their fastest pace since May 2022 due to higher energy and raw material prices and supply-chain disruptions tied to the Middle East war. Policymakers…
A former Bank of Japan board member cautions that Tokyo risks repeating the policy error that precipitated decades of stagnation if the central bank allows interest rates to remain low while inflation pressures broaden due to the Iran war. With short-term policy rates still at 0.75% despite inflation exceeding the BOJ’s 2% target for four years, ma…
A Reuters poll of economists finds India’s GDP growth likely slowed to 7.2% year-on-year in the January-March 2026 quarter, down from 7.8% in the prior quarter. Weaker external demand and softer industrial activity are expected to have trimmed momentum, even as robust government capital spending and resilient agricultural output supported the econo…
Goldman Sachs elevated its 12-month target for the STOXX 600 to 660 in a note dated Friday, citing resilient corporate earnings, upward revisions in energy, and AI-related optimism as key supports for recent gains. The brokerage also raised three- and six-month targets to 640 and 645, and highlighted valuation limits driven by inflation and expecta…
British house prices declined 0.6% in May, marking the first monthly fall since December and the largest monthly drop since June 2025, Nationwide said. Annual growth slowed to 1.7% from 3% in April. Mortgage rates have risen amid market expectations of later Bank of England rate hikes following the war in Iran, and surveyors report subdued sales an…
U.S. Central Command said it carried out strikes on Iranian radar and command facilities on Goruk and Qeshm island over the weekend, describing the actions as self-defense after a U.S. drone was downed. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck a U.S. base it accused of being used to stage attacks on southern Iran. Kuwait reported int…
Major technology firms have been issuing large corporate bond deals outside the United States, pushing smaller currency markets to new depth. Alphabet and Amazon have set records in multiple non-dollar markets, contributing to a surge in international issuance by U.S. non-financial corporates as hyperscalers seek funding for AI infrastructure and b…
Investors appear to be treating the lack of fresh public developments from Gulf peace talks as a form of calm, even as military activity and regional strikes were reported. Despite warnings from commodity analysts that inventory shortfalls could appear by mid-June, Brent crude remains below $100. Asian markets are rallying on AI-driven demand, with…
Private sector purchasing managers' indexes for May show broad expansion across Asian manufacturing, driven in part by companies stockpiling to hedge against supply disruptions and rising input costs linked to the war involving Iran. While China, South Korea, Japan and several other economies reported growth, some official measures diverged and inp…
Indian government bonds are poised for a quiet start to the trading week as investors shift their focus toward the upcoming monetary policy decision from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) scheduled for Friday. With global factors such as Treasury yields and crude oil prices showing little movement following last week's declines, market activity is ex…
A private survey indicates that China's manufacturing industry has extended its period of expansion to six consecutive months as of May. While the rate of growth slowed compared to April, the sector remains in expansionary territory. Key drivers included steady production levels, particularly within investment goods, and a twelfth month of increasi…
The U.S. dollar has stabilized on Monday following a period of recent losses, as investors navigate a complex landscape defined by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and upcoming signals from major central banks. Market participants are currently focused on two primary drivers: the outcome of peace negotiations involving Iran and the potentia…
Japanese corporate investment into plant and equipment reached a standstill during the first quarter, according to new figures released by the Ministry of Finance on Monday. This plateau follows a sequence of robust expansion periods, marking a significant deceleration in capital expenditure (capex) activity. The data, which serves as a critical co…
Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powell has issued a warning regarding the potential consequences of politicizing the central bank. Speaking at an event hosted by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, Powell emphasized that the integrity of democratic institutions depends on their ability to function without political influence. He noted that whil…
The Australian residential real estate market experienced a significant shift in momentum during May, with national home prices remaining flat after a period of continuous growth. According to recent data released by Cotality on Monday, the previous streak of monthly price increases, which had seen valuations reach record levels since early 2025, h…
The U.S. dollar is positioned for a weekly loss as reports emerge regarding a potential agreement between the United States and Iran to extend a ceasefire and ease maritime restrictions. This development follows a period where the greenback benefited from safe-haven demand during heightened conflict, but recent geopolitical shifts have altered inve…
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is facing increasing pressure to halt its plan to reduce Japanese Government Bond (JGB) purchases next fiscal year. As market volatility rises, driven by geopolitical tensions and concerns over domestic fiscal policy, a pause in the tapering process could provide much-needed stability for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's admi…
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a formal warning regarding the rapid military expansion by China, calling for Asian allies to take greater responsibility for their own security. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth emphasized that a self-reliant network of allies is vital to maintaining the regional balance of po…
Germany's massive €500 billion ($583 billion) special fund, designed as a strategic tool to revitalize the national economy, is currently falling short of its intended disbursement schedules and operational milestones. According to a 383-page report from the finance ministry that is expected to be released to parliament's budget committee and the p…
Bank of America Global Research expects the Reserve Bank of India to keep policy rates unchanged at its June meeting while signalling a firmer stance. Despite pressures on the rupee from geopolitical tensions, higher commodity costs and a widening trade gap, BofA argues domestic data - including consumer inflation at 3.48% in April - do not yet war…
Speaking at a conference in Dubrovnik, Bank of England policymaker Megan Greene said tokenised deposits - digital forms of traditional bank balances - may supplant stablecoins within years. Greene argued commercial banks will move to develop digital deposit products once they recognize the risk of losing fees and deposits, while some colleagues, in…
A new annual survey from Colonial First State finds Australians now reckon they need more than A$1 million ($718,450) to retire comfortably, an increase of A$183,000 in the past year. Inflation and rising living costs are cited as key reasons for concern, with many expecting to work longer than their ideal retirement age and women reporting higher …
