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.
7,116 total articles
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep its policy rate unchanged at the conclusion of Kevin Warsh's inaugural meeting as chair, with the central bank's revised statement and quarterly projections likely to reflect rising concern over inflation linked to the Iran conflict even as oil prices retreat on hopes for a ceasefire. Officials may rem…
Bank of America projects the Bank of England will raise interest rates twice in 2026 - in July and September - driven by persistent energy price pressure and concern over second-round inflation effects. The bank then expects three quarterly cuts beginning in Q2 2027 that would take rates to 3.5%, while acknowledging risks of an earlier cut to 3.25%…
The United States has provided an $800 million contribution to the United Nations World Food Programme, replenishing funds after prior cuts and enabling the agency to expand food pre-positioning, cash-based assistance and sustain logistics in crisis-affected countries. The move comes amid record global hunger and a projected increase in the number …
The European Central Bank's wage tracker, including data up to the end of May, shows negotiated wage growth slowing to roughly 2.6% by the end of 2026. The reading is unchanged from prior releases and sits below last year's 3.2% figure, suggesting that the recent inflation surge linked to the Iran war has not prompted a new round of broad pay claim…
G7 leaders on Wednesday called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon while endorsing a preliminary 14-point framework between the United States and Iran. The deal - due to be signed on Friday in Switzerland - lays out commitments on a permanent ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and phased financial incentives for Iran tied to nuclea…
China's central bank said it will deepen its management of short-term money markets by aligning overnight borrowing costs more closely with the seven-day reverse repo rate and expanding overnight reverse repo operations. Officials signalled an intent to optimise temporary overnight repo and reverse repo agreements to better manage liquidity, prompt…
When Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida spoke for the Bank of Japan at this week’s policy meeting, his direct warnings about broadening price gains and the risk of falling behind the curve on inflation underlined a more urgent tone inside the central bank. Uchida’s pragmatic delivery, background in policy drafting, and explicit focus on exchange-rate …
U.S. equity futures were broadly firmer as investors awaited the conclusion of a two-day Federal Reserve policy meeting and further details of a reported U.S.-Iran framework agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude continued a multi-day slide but remained above pre-conflict levels. Meanwhile, SpaceX extended its post-IPO rally,…
Japan is advancing a proposal to reduce the consumption tax on food to an effective 1% for two years beginning next April, a move that would mark the first time the country has rolled back the rate since the tax's introduction. The measure, presented by a senior Liberal Democratic Party executive to a government panel, would bridge policy until a r…
European equities opened little changed as markets held back for confirmation of a U.S.-Iran peace accord and guidance from the Federal Reserve under its new chair. The STOXX 600 inched higher while auto stocks led losses after BMW cut its annual profit forecast amid Chinese market weakness and fallout from the Iran conflict.
Northern Ireland recorded the fastest economic expansion among UK regions between 2015 and 2023, growing 16.5% over that period. The province's performance reflects a sustained trajectory of investment predating the Brexit vote, a marked rise in financial services output, strong retail activity aided by a weaker pound, and growing trade integration…
UK headline inflation remained at 2.8% in May, matching April's 13-month low, while services inflation rose to 3.7% and core inflation moved to 2.6%. Sterling dipped marginally after the figures, which arrive one day before the Bank of England's forthcoming interest rate announcement. Economists had expected a rise to 3.0% for May. A potential U.S.…
A sharp rise in energy prices and renewed inflationary pressures linked to the Iran war are weighing on global growth. Despite public frustration among some European leaders, G7 participants meeting in France have largely avoided direct confrontation with the United States over the conflict, focusing instead on narrowly defined economic declaration…
The Bank of Korea says inflation is likely to remain elevated through next year, driven by cost-side effects from high oil prices and exchange rates and growing demand-side pressures such as large bonus payouts at some technology firms. The outlook supports near-term monetary tightening after consumer inflation rose to 3.1% in May.
Kevin Warsh concludes his inaugural Federal Open Market Committee meeting at a moment of falling oil prices and a tentative peace offering that together create a supportive backdrop for the widely expected decision to keep interest rates unchanged. Market attention centers on how Warsh votes, what he says in the news conference, and whether he will…
Global oil markets experienced a sharp downturn as U.S. officials signaled plans to waive sanctions on Iranian petroleum exports. This development follows a proposed agreement to end the U.S.-Iran conflict, raising hopes for normalized supply flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The influx of potential barrels has sparked inflation relief sentiments…
Japan's exports expanded for a ninth consecutive month in May, surpassing market expectations as robust demand for semiconductor equipment and components helped offset significant geopolitical supply chain disruptions. Despite a sharp rise in energy costs stemming from tensions in the Middle East, the trade deficit narrowed due to strong export per…
The United States has delayed publishing additions to the Commerce Department’s Entity List, despite interagency committee approvals for over 100 entities, including Chinese AI startup DeepSeek and memory chipmaker CXMT. The pause, attributed to efforts to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing, leaves a gap in U.S. export controls, potentially all…
Japanese manufacturing sentiment has climbed for a second straight month, buoyed by robust demand in the semiconductor sector. The latest Reuters Tankan survey indicates that optimism has spread to non-manufacturing sectors, particularly real estate and construction, despite broader geopolitical and supply chain uncertainties.
G7 leaders convened in Evian-les-Bains have issued a joint declaration committing to intensified efforts to mitigate global debt vulnerabilities. The statement highlights a critical gap in financing for developing nations, particularly middle-income countries excluded from broader Group of 20 relief frameworks. As official development assistance fa…
US equity markets closed mixed on Tuesday as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were weighed down by tech sector weakness, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average posted another record close. Crude oil prices continued to retreat following announcements of a peace deal with Iran. SpaceX's market valuation also exceeded that of Amazon, marking a significant mile…
Citadel Securities' macro strategy team says the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will begin raising interest rates in September has risen as inflation becomes more widespread and persistent. The firm points to a mix of easy financial conditions, ongoing supply-chain disruptions, a tightening labor market and rising artificial-intelligence inves…
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh has long argued the central bank holds too many bonds and that reducing those holdings should be a priority. Now that he leads the Fed, he will test whether colleagues can be persuaded to adopt changes to the balance sheet. Officials expect interest rates to remain unchanged at the conclusion of his first Federal O…
A report from the Federal Reserve’s Inspector General concluded that the Fed does not have adequate programs or systems to protect employees and nonpublic information during international travel. The audit identifies missing pre-travel preparation, absent post-travel checks, no centralized tracking of foreign trips, and reporting rules that apply o…
The Bank of France has trimmed its 2026 growth forecast to 0.5% from 0.9% following an unexpected 0.1% contraction in the first quarter and a jump in global energy prices linked to the Middle East conflict. The central bank warned the outlook remains subject to geopolitical developments, noted its forecasts used oil futures as of May 21, and foreca…
