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.
6,527 total articles
A senior Bank of Japan official said the central bank will press on with interest-rate increases while closely monitoring how the Middle East conflict affects Japan's economy and core inflation. Rising fuel costs from the conflict could dent growth by worsening terms of trade, but may also lift underlying inflation through higher long-term expectat…
In a late Thursday post on Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that U.S. military action against Iran could expand to include bridges and electric power plants. His comments come after recent U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure and follow prior threats to target Iran's energy grid if certain geopolitical demands were not met. Offici…
Japan’s finance minister has warned that speculative activity in foreign exchange and crude oil futures markets has pushed volatility markedly higher. With the yen trading close to the psychologically significant 160-per-dollar level, the government says it is prepared to take comprehensive action to protect the public’s livelihoods and the broader…
China's private-sector services activity expanded in March but at a slower pace than February, according to the RatingDog China General Services PMI compiled by S&P Global. The index fell to 52.1 from 56.7, remaining above the 50 threshold for expansion. Softer domestic demand and a decline in new export orders weighed on growth, while cost pressur…
Global markets weakened on Thursday as President Donald Trump signaled no immediate de-escalation in the conflict with Iran, keeping the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed and pushing U.S. oil prices sharply higher. Equity markets were mixed-to-lower across Asia and Europe while some S&P 500 sectors rose. Private credit drew fresh scrutiny after a…
Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams told Fox Business that the Fed’s monetary policy is "well positioned" to manage increased uncertainty stemming from surging energy prices tied to the Middle East conflict. Williams said higher energy costs could lift inflation and damp consumer spending, but that those effects tend to take mo…
The administration announced sweeping tariffs on patented pharmaceutical products and ingredients under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. A 100% levy applies broadly, with phased implementation, country-specific lower rates, and exemptions for firms that sign pricing and onshoring agreements. Generics and biosimilars are currently exc…
The administration signed a proclamation to revise Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper, moving to a full-value basis and establishing tiered rates of 50%, 25%, 15%, and 10% depending on metal content and origin. The changes coincide with expanding U.S. metal production and new domestic smelting and steelmaking capacity.
Dallas Federal Reserve President Lorie Logan said U.S. oil producers are unlikely to boost crude output in the near term because firms require sustained prices near their breakeven level to invest. With market crude around $110 a barrel and producer breakevens just under $70, Logan warned there is no indication of a quick supply response to ease ga…
Federal Reserve policymakers left short-term interest rates unchanged at their March 17-18 meeting, repeating the stance they took in January. The committee’s median projection remains for a single quarter-point cut by the end of 2026, but Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned that uncertainty around the Iran conflict and a spike in oil prices has made th…
President Donald Trump has removed Pam Bondi from her role as U.S. attorney general, confirming the decision on Truth Social and saying Bondi will move to a private-sector post to be announced later. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will serve as acting attorney general. Reports say Trump discussed replacing Bondi with EPA administrator Lee Zel…
President Donald Trump removed Attorney General Pam Bondi on April 2, the White House said, after mounting dissatisfaction with her stewardship of Justice Department matters, notably the handling and disclosure of investigative material connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Bondi's tenure was marked by aggressive alignment with the presi…
Chime Financial Inc. reported a 25% month-over-month increase in fuel spending by its customers in March compared with February. CEO Chris Britt said overall consumer spending and savings remained steady, but higher fuel costs are putting pressure on household budgets after US attacks on Iran lifted oil markets and pushed gasoline above $4 a gallon…
European Central Bank policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau said the next ECB move on interest rates will very likely be an increase, but he cautioned it is too early to set a timetable for hikes. He noted that a recent spike in energy prices has rapidly pushed up headline inflation in the euro zone and France, while underlying inflation remains …
Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, released Thursday, found the average 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.46% and the 15-year fixed at 5.77%. Both rates rose modestly from the prior week, while remaining below or near year-ago levels. Freddie Mac’s chief economist encouraged prospective buyers to obtain multiple quotes to potentially save thou…
Iran is working with Oman on a protocol to oversee vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran’s deputy foreign minister said. The measure is described as intended to improve safety and services for ships rather than to restrict navigation. The announcement follows international debate over how to reopen the waterway after Tehran effectiv…
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Lorie Logan told an audience at the bank that the Middle East war has introduced notable uncertainty into the U.S. outlook. She said the Fed is prepared to adjust monetary policy in response to incoming data, expressed concern about weak payroll gains, and reiterated the priority of returning inflation to 2%…
President Donald Trump announced he will sign an order to provide pay for Department of Homeland Security employees, praising Republican leaders for moving a plan to fund Border Patrol and Immigration Enforcement officers and criticizing Democratic leaders over immigration policy and election implications.
Dallas Federal Reserve President Lorie Logan outlined options for reducing the Federal Reserve's balance sheet while retaining the benefits of the current ample reserves system. She emphasized the system's effectiveness, cautioned against forcing banks to cut reserves, and pointed to regulatory changes and broadened liquidity access as potential wa…
Dallas Federal Reserve President Lorie Logan described pathways the Fed could take to reduce its balance sheet while preserving the liquidity framework that supports interest-rate control and financial stability. She emphasized the current ample-reserves system is effective and warned that forcing banks to cut reserves could raise systemic risk. Lo…
Bank of America has trimmed its forecast for India's fiscal 2027 GDP growth to 6.5% from 7.0% and raised its inflation projection to 5.2% from 4.7%, citing a revised crude oil baseline and emerging signs of economic stress tied to an extended energy price shock stemming from the Middle East conflict.
Canada recorded a substantially larger merchandise trade deficit in February, with imports jumping to a record C$72.1 billion driven in large part by a 45.6% rise in metal and non-metallic mineral product imports led by gold. Exports advanced but not enough to offset the import surge, leaving a C$5.74 billion deficit and reducing Canada’s share of …
Three paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne and Henri Matisse stolen from the Fondazione Magnani Rocca near Parma on the night of March 22 were likely not covered by commercial insurance, market sources said. An underwriter cited the prohibitive cost of cover for works in permanent collections. The robbery reportedly took just three minu…
Apollo Global Management's president defended the structure of private credit funds after a recent wave of retail redemption requests, saying limitations on withdrawals were disclosed and working as designed. He also flagged uneven communication from some distribution channels and noted Gulf sovereign wealth funds' investment focus could shift towa…
French President Emmanuel Macron said a military campaign to force open the Strait of Hormuz would be impractical and risky, arguing that reopening the strategic waterway must occur through consultation with Iran and international cooperation once hostilities cease. He also declined to comment on a U.S.-led operation with Israel and criticized pers…
