Economy

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.

Articles

910 total articles

Cleveland Fed’s Hammack Sees No Rush to Alter Rate Policy, Says Pause Could Last

Cleveland Fed’s Hammack Sees No Rush to Alter Rate Policy, Says Pause Could Last

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Beth Hammack told attendees at an Ohio Bankers League event that the central bank does not face urgent pressure to change its policy rate this year. Citing a cautiously optimistic economic outlook and the recent policy easing, she said the Fed could keep the federal funds rate steady for an extended perio…

Bessent Says U.S.-China Ties Are Stable but Must Be De-Risked

Bessent Says U.S.-China Ties Are Stable but Must Be De-Risked

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told attendees at the BTG Pactual CEO Conference in Sao Paolo that relations between the United States and China are currently "a very comfortable place," while stressing that Washington seeks to de-risk ties rather than sever them. He framed the relationship as a rivalry that should be fair, expressed optimism…

U.S. Retail Sales Stall in December, Signaling Slower Consumer Momentum

U.S. Retail Sales Stall in December, Signaling Slower Consumer Momentum

Retail sales in the United States were unchanged in December, weaker than economists had expected and following a revised strong gain in November. Core retail sales - those most closely tied to GDP - eased, and a decline in household saving combined with data delays and downward revisions that may prompt cuts to fourth-quarter consumer spending and…

Brazil’s Inflation Inches Higher in January but Keeps Rate-Cut Outlook Intact

Brazil’s Inflation Inches Higher in January but Keeps Rate-Cut Outlook Intact

Brazil’s annual inflation rose to 4.44% through January from 4.26% in December, slightly above economists' median forecast but still inside the central bank’s target band. Monthly prices climbed 0.33%, with transportation and fuel costs the principal contributors. The central bank has held the Selic rate at 15% but signalled the start of rate cuts …

BofA Boosts Taiwan 2026 GDP Forecast to 8% on AI-Led Export Surge

BofA Boosts Taiwan 2026 GDP Forecast to 8% on AI-Led Export Surge

Bank of America has sharply raised its projection for Taiwan's 2026 economic growth to 8% from 4.5%, attributing the revision to a powerful export-led surge in the fourth quarter of 2025. Economists at the bank say the move reflects more than a short-term revaluation, pointing to enduring optimism around technology-driven expansion underpinned by A…

U.S. Trade Representative: USMCA Talks Proceed with Mexico, Stumble with Canada

U.S. Trade Representative: USMCA Talks Proceed with Mexico, Stumble with Canada

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Fox Business Network that negotiations over the USMCA are active with Mexico but have been more difficult with Canada. Greer said talks will continue in bilateral channels with both countries and stressed that discussions about the Gordie Howe International Bridge are a distinct negotiation. His comment…

Brazil's January Consumer Prices Edge Higher, Reinforcing Caution Around Rate Cuts

Brazil's January Consumer Prices Edge Higher, Reinforcing Caution Around Rate Cuts

Brazil's inflation rate rose in January, nudging above market expectations and underscoring a cautious stance from monetary policymakers as they prepare to begin cutting interest rates. Consumer prices climbed 4.44% year-on-year and 0.33% month-on-month, with transportation and fuels leading the monthly increase. Central bank officials, led by Gove…

Taiwan Delegation Travels to U.S. for Concluding Session on Trade Accord

Taiwan Delegation Travels to U.S. for Concluding Session on Trade Accord

Taiwan's trade negotiating team has departed for the United States to hold a final meeting on a recently negotiated reciprocal trade agreement. The deal would lower tariffs on Taiwanese exports to the U.S. and mobilize large-scale Taiwanese investment and credit guarantees to expand semiconductor, energy and artificial intelligence production in th…

U.S. Law Firms Close 2025 With Strong Profit Gain, but M&A Weakness Raises Flags

U.S. Law Firms Close 2025 With Strong Profit Gain, but M&A Weakness Raises Flags

The Thomson Reuters Institute’s Law Firm Financial Index reported a 14.1% rise in profits for U.S. law firms in the fourth quarter of 2025, the largest year-over-year gain since the 2021-2022 pandemic boom. The increase was driven by higher billing rates and slower expense growth. However, a marked slowdown in mergers and acquisitions demand and a …

ECB analysis: Foreign tariffs curb euro-area prices and shave industrial output

ECB analysis: Foreign tariffs curb euro-area prices and shave industrial output

A European Central Bank analysis finds that tariff actions abroad - notably US tariffs on European goods - tend to lower consumer prices and reduce industrial production in the euro area over the medium term. The researchers identify tariff-related trade surprises, document an initial modest uptick in prices, and show a subsequent decline in consum…

BofA Keeps Banxico Rate Path Intact, Sees Policy Rate at 6.00% by End-2026

BofA Keeps Banxico Rate Path Intact, Sees Policy Rate at 6.00% by End-2026

Bank of America has reaffirmed its projection that Mexico's central bank will cut its policy rate to 6.00% by the end of 2026. The bank anticipates 25 basis point reductions every other meeting, starting on March 26, and points to below-potential growth, a negative output gap and supportive fiscal policy as the rationale for an easing cycle. Howeve…

Prabowo Pushes Ahead With Ambitious Growth Agenda as Markets React

Prabowo Pushes Ahead With Ambitious Growth Agenda as Markets React

Indonesia’s new administration is pressing forward with large-scale social and rural spending programs intended to accelerate growth to 8%, even after market disruptions triggered by MSCI and a negative outlook from Moody’s. Officials say core programmes are politically entrenched and unlikely to be cut, while investors warn the strategy raises fis…

Dollar Retreats Ahead of Key U.S. Data; Yen Sustains Post-Election Strength

Dollar Retreats Ahead of Key U.S. Data; Yen Sustains Post-Election Strength

The U.S. dollar gave back ground on Tuesday ahead of a busy U.S. data calendar that could influence the path of interest rates, while the Japanese yen maintained recent gains after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's decisive electoral victory. Sterling and the euro traded with modest moves as investors digested political pressure in the U.K. and shift…