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.
5,126 total articles
The European Central Bank's Consumer Expectations Survey for March 2026 indicates that the outbreak of conflict in Iran prompted households to lift near-term inflation expectations substantially and to downgrade growth prospects. The survey compares responses to the 2026 Iran conflict with reactions to the 2022 Ukraine invasion and highlights the r…
France's economy recorded a 0.1% contraction in the first quarter of 2026, according to final data from statistics office INSEE. The result undershot the preliminary 0.0% reading and missed the average forecast of 0.0% from a poll of 19 economists. Falling exports - led by a decline in aeronautical shipments - and a drop in household energy consump…
Elevated volatility in Japan’s government bond market and political sensitivity around rising yields are strengthening the case for the Bank of Japan to pause its planned reduction of bond purchases in fiscal 2027. The BOJ will review its existing taper at its June 15-16 meeting and publish minutes from a May meeting with bond market participants n…
Japan's currency has returned to levels that prompted state intervention a month ago, reigniting scrutiny over how much of its foreign-exchange reserves Tokyo is willing and able to deploy. Officials spent roughly $63 billion in suspected yen-buying operations in late April and early May, a fraction of the country's near $1 trillion stockpile of fo…
A recent housing market poll indicates that China's home prices are likely to fall less sharply this year than previously forecast and are projected to post small gains by 2027 and larger gains in 2028. The survey, conducted May 18-28, signals ongoing pressure in the sector but points to a gradual slowing of the downcycle as targeted policy support…
Markets entered the new trading day with subdued moves in Asia as reports indicated the U.S. and Iran have agreed to extend a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, pending approval from U.S. President Donald Trump. The dollar remained steady, bonds retained earlier weekly gains and investors monitored inflation data across Europe as well as re…
The New Zealand Labour Party has voiced significant criticism regarding the government's latest budget, arguing that the current fiscal direction fails to adequately support citizens facing rising living expenses. While acknowledging the importance of returning the national accounts to a surplus, Barbara Edmonds, the shadow finance minister for the…
The U.S. dollar is poised to conclude a weekly losing streak as reports emerge regarding a potential ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. The reported deal, which currently awaits approval from President Trump, seeks to extend an existing truce for 60 days and lift restrictions on maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of …
New economic data released on Friday indicates that annual core inflation in Tokyo slowed to 1.3% for the month of May. This figure represents the fourth consecutive month where the capital's core consumer price index (CPI) has remained below the Bank of Japan's established 2% target. The deceleration follows a 1.5% increase recorded in April and m…
Following a closely contested Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, Reserve Bank of New Zealand member Hayley Gourley has indicated that interest rate increases are likely to occur in the near future. While the official cash rate was held at 2.25% on Wednesday, the decision was reached via a casting vote from Governor Anna Breman to resolve a 3-…
Equity markets reached historic levels on Thursday, propelled by an extension of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. While the S&P 500 and Nasdaq achieved record highs, the broader economic landscape remains complex, characterized by a divergence between rising inflation and slowing growth figures. Investors are currently navigating a…
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a state budget that creates a progressive surcharge on high-end secondary residences in New York City, commonly referred to as a 'pied-a-terre' tax. Backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and approved by state legislators, the measure is projected to produce about $500 million per year for the city. The budget also dir…
A court filing shows Brazil's government and the Federal District have approved a plan enabling the district to contract an approximately 6 billion reais loan from the credit-guarantee fund FGC to support state-run lender BRB. Guarantees will be provided by a bank syndicate using the district's revenue flows from state and municipal participation f…
The Dallas Fed’s trimmed mean inflation gauge showed a slight decline to 2.3% year-over-year in April, down from 2.4% in March. Proponents of the measure, including its producers, warn the reading may understate underlying price pressures because recent tariff-driven price jumps have reversed the measure’s usual statistical skew. Core personal cons…
HSBC has adjusted its outlook for Bank of Japan policy, now forecasting two 25-basis-point rate increases in 2026 — a move in June rather than July, followed by another in December — which would raise the policy rate to 1.25% by year-end. The bank pointed to three central factors: the near-term composition of the BoJ Policy Board, persistent inflat…
Speaking in New York, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called for a renewed partnership with the United States to reinforce both economies as global commercial relationships undergo a 'rupture.' He urged targeted collaboration in sectors such as aluminum, automobiles and critical minerals and highlighted Canada’s recent push to diversify exports…
St. Louis Federal Reserve President Alberto Musalem told an economic conference in Reykjavik that the Fed may need to raise its policy rate if disinflation does not resume within one to two quarters. His comments come as U.S. personal consumption expenditures inflation accelerated in April and as new Fed chair Kevin Warsh signals confidence in AI's…
The U.S. Treasury has publicly warned Oman against participating in the creation of a toll system for the Strait of Hormuz. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on X that the U.S. government will not accept attempts to impose tolls in the strait and that the Treasury will target parties who help facilitate such a system, whether their involvement …
The Bank of Canada says Canada’s financial system remains resilient in the face of recent global shocks, but its 2026 Financial Stability Report highlights multiple vulnerabilities. The central bank pointed to heavy stock market exposure to large technology firms tied to artificial intelligence, growing hedge fund activity in funding and government…
Russia has placed a second tranche of 10-year sovereign bonds denominated in Chinese yuan, setting the size at 10 billion yuan (about $1.5 billion) with a coupon of 7.65%. The offering comes shortly after meetings between Russian and Chinese leaders in Beijing and follows previous yuan bond sales last year. The move reflects Moscow's efforts to rai…
The U.S. Treasury announced it has removed 76 persons, vessels and entities from the Specially Designated Nationals list, saying the entries were outdated. The department framed the action as a means to ease compliance costs for businesses and to prioritize enforcement activity against complex and high‑risk sanctions evasion, noting a marked rise i…
Brazil's central bank monetary policy director said the institution will act to prevent an uptick in inflation expectations from translating into actual inflation, stressing policymakers retain capacity and a legal duty to meet the 3% target and that recent rate cuts do not indicate a dovish pivot. He noted supply shocks tied to the Iran conflict s…
China priced a 6 billion yuan offshore green sovereign bond in Hong Kong, its first green note sale in the city. The offering was evenly split into three- and five-year tranches, with yields of 1.42% and 1.56% respectively, which tightened versus initial guidance. Proceeds are earmarked to finance or refinance green initiatives aimed at supporting …
St. Louis Federal Reserve President Alberto Musalem said he is skeptical that gains from artificial intelligence will reduce inflation sufficiently to permit easier monetary policy. Speaking at a Reykjavik conference, he argued current data - including inflation above target and a stable labor market - do not support a move to looser rates and warn…
South Africa's central bank raised its policy rate by 25 basis points to 7%, the first hike since 2023, citing elevated inflation risks tied to the Iran war. The six-member Monetary Policy Committee voted 4-2 in favour of the increase after considering scenarios that showed higher inflation and slower growth. Markets saw a firmer rand, a drop in th…
