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.
2,692 total articles
Global oil benchmarks remain elevated amid continuing U.S.-Israeli military action in Iran, pushing Brent above $100 a barrel and contributing to softer U.S. equity futures. Traders and analysts are watching inflation gauges closely - including the U.S. personal consumption expenditures price index - while gold struggles as the dollar strengthens. …
Analysts at Wolfe Research warn that higher gasoline costs could significantly weaken the consumer stimulus expected from the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). Using a baseline where gasoline averages $3.10 per gallon in 2025, a sustained 20% rise would produce roughly a $65 billion annual drag on consumer budgets, offsetting about one-third of the $1…
The war in the Middle East has sharply lifted energy prices, forcing global central banks into a difficult policy juncture. With major monetary authorities from the United States to Europe, Japan and Brazil set to meet in the coming days, markets are re-pricing the likelihood and timing of rate moves amid renewed inflation concerns and weaker growt…
The European Central Bank convenes next week amid a renewed energy shock tied to war in the Middle East. Surging oil and gas prices have pushed traders to bet on at least one rate hike this year, complicating an outlook that weeks ago suggested policymakers were in a comfortable position. The bank must weigh uncertain energy price trajectories, the…
Markets are wrestling with the prospect that a protracted conflict in the Middle East will keep oil near $100 per barrel, prompting intensified selloffs in bonds and equities, stronger US dollar demand and a reassessment of central bank rate paths. With leaders of Iran, Israel and the United States remaining defiant as the confrontation nears two w…
BofA Global Research has revised its timetable for Bank of England rate cuts, moving its initial forecast from March to June and now projecting quarter-point reductions in June and September. The change reflects a renewed inflation risk driven by higher energy prices amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Several other major banks have also…
Japan appears to have less capacity to stabilise the yen now than during previous episodes when authorities stepped into markets to counter speculative selling. This time, officials say the currency's slide is driven more by safe-haven demand for dollars and higher crude prices linked to the Iran war, rather than by the large, speculative short pos…
A quarterly Reuters poll conducted from March 2 to 12 found that Chinese home prices are projected to drop 4.0% in 2026 - a sharper fall than prior forecasts - then level off in 2027 before inching up 0.5% in 2028. The survey highlights ongoing strain in the property sector, weak investment and sales this year, and analysts' calls for stronger poli…
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has proposed rules that would require banks to maintain a baseline of cash services, including more ATMs and lower withdrawal fees. The plan, opened for public consultation last month, aims to protect vulnerable groups and payment-system resilience but has been met with strong opposition from banks and industry group…
Asian share markets dropped on Friday as a resurgence in geopolitical tensions involving Iran kept crude near $100 a barrel, amplifying inflation concerns and dampening hopes for monetary easing. The U.S. dollar strengthened as investors sought safety, while bond yields rose and markets prepared for a busy week of central bank meetings.
Chinese lenders are reallocating credit to technology and innovation-focused firms in response to recent government commitments to expand artificial intelligence, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. Banks report prioritizing tech lending, setting higher growth targets and exploring cheaper credit options for startups. Data show outstanding l…
President Donald Trump called on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates immediately, posting "He should be dropping Interest Rates, IMMEDIATELY," on Truth Social. Yet markets have moved in the opposite direction since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, pricing fewer rate cuts as oil jumps and inflation expectations …
Global equities slid sharply as oil surged 10%, U.S. and European bond yields rose and the dollar strengthened, signaling increased pressure on consumers and companies. The move has erased investors' expectations for Fed rate cuts in 2026 and accelerated a global fixed-income selloff. Central banks face a packed schedule of meetings next week as po…
The executive director of the Port of Los Angeles said the nation's busiest container gateway has so far avoided the supply chain disruptions and congestion seen in Middle Eastern shipping lanes following U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran. February import volumes rose 5% year-on-year and the port recorded its second-highest monthly throughput on record, …
Argentina recorded a 2.9% monthly inflation rate in February, the same rate as January 2026 and slightly above analysts' 2.7% forecast. Over the 12 months through February, consumer prices were up 33.1%, higher than both the previous month's 32.4% and analysts' 32.7% expectation. Rent and utilities led monthly increases, while food and non-alcoholi…
Bond markets have reduced expectations for Federal Reserve interest-rate reductions this year amid rising oil prices and renewed inflation worries. On Thursday swaps tied to Fed meetings priced in only 20 basis points of easing by year-end, and U.S. Treasury yields moved higher. President Donald Trump urged an immediate rate cut, criticizing Fed Ch…
U.S. banking regulators under President Donald Trump are preparing to release a revised draft of the Basel III 'endgame' capital rule this month, restarting a heated debate over how to measure risk and how much capital large banks must retain. The rule, first proposed in 2023 under the Biden administration, drew intense opposition from Wall Street …
U.S. and Western intelligence sources told reporters that Russian services have been supplying Iran with satellite imagery and guidance on drone targeting to assist strikes on American forces and regional allies. Officials say the degree to which the material is actionable or regularly supplied is uncertain. Observers note parallels between Iranian…
Anthropic has launched the Claude Partner Network and pledged $100 million in 2026 to back organizations that help enterprises deploy its Claude AI model. The initiative includes training, technical support, co-marketing funds, a new certification for architects, a code modernization starter kit, and plans to expand the partner-facing team fivefold…
On March 12, Senate Democrats failed to secure separate funding for the Transportation Security Administration after Republicans insisted on funding the entire Department of Homeland Security. A planned procedural vote on a GOP proposal to fund all of DHS is expected to fail. TSA staffing shortfalls have already created long security lines and prom…
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said the United States wants to renew the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement but is encountering resistance from Canada as a mandatory July 1 review approaches. Speaking in Toronto, Hoekstra said there have been no substantive talks with Canada since October and urged Canadian interests to press for lower tariff tr…
Kevin Warsh met with senators as questions persisted about whether his nomination will advance after a Republican senator vowed to block any Fed nominees while a Department of Justice criminal investigation into current Chair Jerome Powell remains open. The Banking Committee, the initial gatekeeper for Fed nominations, faces a standoff that could d…
Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced that the Senate will vote next week on the SAVE America Act, a voter identification bill supported by former President Donald Trump. The legislation would mandate proof of citizenship to register and require photo identification to cast a ballot. With Republicans holding a 53-47 advantage in the Senate bu…
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet Vice Premier He Lifeng of the People’s Republic of China in Paris on Sunday and Monday. The encounter is described by the Treasury as a continuation of ongoing trade and economic discussions between the United States and China. Bessent said the talks are progressing thanks to mutual respect between Preside…
Operations at HSBC and Standard Chartered in the Gulf have been directly affected by the recent strikes on Iran, with HSBC closing branches in Qatar and Standard Chartered evacuating its Dubai office. The moves come as both banks, which have grown their footprint around trade between Asia and the Middle East, face market repricing and heightened un…
