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.
5,153 total articles
The Australian government is proposing sweeping changes to the taxation of residential property investments that Treasury modelling indicates would shave roughly two percentage points off house price growth over a short period. The measures - restricting negative gearing to newly built homes and removing existing capital gains tax discounts - are i…
U.S. equity futures edged lower as a persistent deadlock between Washington and Tehran undermines hopes for an imminent ceasefire. Brent crude climbed back above $105 a barrel, amplifying inflation concerns ahead of U.S. consumer price data. Separately, Republican officials are scrutinizing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s business links ahead of a possible…
UK government bond yields rose sharply and the pound weakened on reports that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is consulting colleagues about his future after a significant local election setback and resignations by ministerial aides. The 10-year gilt yield jumped to 5.11% and the 30-year yield approached levels last seen in 1998, while the FTSE 100 and…
The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran is exerting mounting pressure on global financial markets and real economies. Asian currencies have seen steep declines, Japan's yen is under renewed strain, food and energy inflation risks are resurfacing, and the airline industry is confronting sharply higher jet fuel costs. Bond markets hav…
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters in Tokyo that the United States and Japan continue to maintain constant and robust communication to address undesirable and excessive currency volatility. His comments followed a meeting with Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama in which both officials reiterated close coordination on excha…
Global markets are oscillating between cautious optimism and risk aversion as ceasefire negotiations falter. A U.S. proposal to end hostilities was rejected by Tehran, prompting President Donald Trump to say the ceasefire with Iran was "on life support." The setback lifted oil prices, strengthened the dollar on safe-haven flows and kept bond yields…
A poll of 17 economists conducted between May 6 and 12 indicates Malaysia’s economy likely expanded 5.3% year-on-year in the January-March quarter, down from 6.3% in the final quarter of 2025. Household spending supported by fuel subsidies and gains from the global semiconductor upcycle helped sustain growth, while mining and quarrying contracted a…
U.S. consumer inflation is expected to have accelerated in April for a second consecutive month, driven by higher fuel costs from the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and a one-time catch-up in rent measures after last year’s government shutdown disrupted data collection. The April Consumer Price Index report is forecast to show both a notable monthly ga…
The U.S. dollar maintained its position during Tuesday's trading as prospects for a lasting peace in the Middle East diminished. Heightened uncertainty regarding the continuation of a ceasefire has pressured global markets, driving oil prices upward and fueling concerns that persistent inflationary pressures may necessitate prolonged high interest …
U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly evaluating a serious return to major combat operations against Iran as diplomatic efforts to secure peace continue to stall. According to reports on Monday evening, the administration's patience has waned due to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz and what the President perceives as a fragmented Ira…
Economic momentum across a group of 11 Pacific Island nations is projected to encounter significant headwinds, according to the latest Pacific Economic Update from the World Bank. The report indicates a downward trajectory for regional growth, which is expected to reach a low point of 2.8% in 2026. This deceleration follows a period of relatively r…
Instructure, the parent company behind the widely utilized educational software Canvas, has issued a public apology following a significant cybersecurity breach. The incident, which involved unauthorized access by a hacking group, resulted in the theft of student information and caused operational disruptions for academic institutions using the pla…
Kevin Warsh, the individual selected by President Donald Trump to lead the Federal Reserve, successfully passed a critical procedural milestone in the Senate on Monday. This cloture vote brings his nomination significantly closer to formal confirmation and sets the stage for a leadership transition from current Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whose tenure…
Australia is preparing to present a federal budget that anticipates a significantly narrower deficit than previously forecasted. This fiscal adjustment comes as the government capitalizes on unexpected revenue windfalls driven by commodities. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is expected to deliver the budget details in parliament, outlining a strategy that a…
Global stock markets reached unprecedented levels on Monday, propelled by a continued surge in artificial intelligence-related optimism. This rally occurred despite significant headwinds, including a fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, rising oil prices, and increasing bond yields. Major indices such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit new highs…
The Port of Los Angeles recorded 890,861 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in April 2026, a 5.7% increase from April 2025. Loaded containers rose to 587,551 TEUs, with inbound loaded boxes up 4.7% and outbound loaded boxes down 0.5%. Empty container moves grew 10.2%. The monthly results follow a recovery from earlier 2026 declines and come after …
On May 11 in Washington, the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on three individuals and nine companies accused of facilitating Iran's shipment of crude to China. The Office of Foreign Assets Control said the designated parties helped the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps move oil to China through front companies located in permissive jurisdictions.…
Spanish Broadcasting System Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday after agreeing to hand ownership to its noteholders under a debt restructuring plan. The agreement, struck in early April with Brigade Capital Management, Man Group and an affiliate of HIG Capital, covers bondholders that own 72% of the companys $310 million in n…
The Republic of Congo has formally asked the International Monetary Fund to open discussions on a new financing arrangement after several years of very high public debt and weakening GDP growth. An IMF mission is due in Brazzaville in the coming weeks to design a framework for potential support, while official data point to a debt burden among the …
US Treasury yields moved higher across the curve during Monday afternoon trading. The 10-year Treasury yield registered the largest increase, while the 30-year and 1-year yields also rose. The spread between 5-year and 30-year Treasuries tightened, the S&P 500 inched up modestly, and US 5-year credit default swaps were unchanged.
Treasury prices fell on Monday as yields climbed roughly 5 to 6 basis points after a 3-year note auction showed weaker-than-expected demand. Key bidding metrics disappointed and primary dealers took a larger share, while indirect participation dipped. Markets reacted with a selloff in the belly of the curve as investors prepared for upcoming 10-yea…
The Australian Taxation Office is preparing a draft taxation determination to clarify how capital gains tax applies to certain exchanges of cryptocurrency assets conducted via wrapping contracts. The ATO said the guidance will address scenarios in which an asset is sent to a wrapping contract on the basis that it has been abandoned, and that the ru…
Canada's sovereign bond yields moved higher across maturities on Monday afternoon, with the 10-year note recording the largest increase. The 1-year yield rose to 2.649%, the 10-year reached 3.54%, and the 30-year climbed to 3.906%. The gap between the 1-year and 30-year yields widened slightly, while credit default swaps for the five-year tenor wer…
The Czech Financial Administration issued guidance on April 30 interpreting recent amendments under Law No. 32/2025 for individual income tax exemptions on crypto-asset transfers. The guidance applies rules tied to the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (2023/1114/EU), sets a value-based exemption limit of 100,000 koruna for 2025, excludes el…
A recent four-day national poll shows 66% of respondents believe President Donald Trump has not clearly explained the objectives of U.S. military involvement in the conflict with Iran. The survey also finds growing household financial strain from higher gasoline prices and places the president's approval rating at 36%. The results indicate potentia…
