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.
7,112 total articles
The International Monetary Fund has cut its 2026 growth forecast for Britain to 0.8% from 1.3%, the largest downgrade among major rich economies, citing the inflationary effects of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which initially doubled natural gas prices. The IMF also expects unemployment to rise and inflation to remain above target through 2026, …
The UK raised a record £15 billion through a syndication of 10-year gilts maturing in 2036, paying a yield of 4.9158% and attracting £148 billion of orders. The sale produced the highest yield on a 10-year gilt auction since 2008, a development linked in market commentary to heightened risks stemming from the war between the US and Iran that began …
The Producer Price Index for final demand climbed 0.5% in March, matching a downwardly revised 0.5% rise for February, as stable services costs offset a sharp increase in energy prices tied to the conflict with Iran. Year-on-year PPI advanced 4.0% in March. Economists had expected a larger monthly jump; core PCE estimates suggest moderate upward pr…
Fund managers in Europe have become markedly less bullish on regional growth, according to Bank of America's April European Fund Manager Survey. Responses from 90 managers overseeing $247 billion of assets show a sharp swing toward expecting slower growth, a record share flagging stagflation as the dominant macro regime and heightened concern that …
India's automobile industry is cautioning that the ongoing conflict in West Asia could disrupt vehicle production, raise input and fuel costs, and push up freight rates. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers highlighted oil, commodity prices, exchange rate movements and shipping route interruptions as near-term concerns, while industry sal…
Bond market participants are increasingly adopting curve steepener strategies that bet on lower yields at the short end and higher yields at the long end of the U.S. Treasury curve. Traders say the stance reflects expectations that the Federal Reserve will eventually resume cutting rates, while longer-dated securities face pressure from persistent …
JPMorgan Chase posted higher first-quarter net income, driven largely by increased revenue in its markets division amid heightened market volatility. The bank also recorded a notable rise in investment banking fees as deal activity climbed, while management highlighted a range of global risks that could affect future performance.
European Central Bank rate tightening at the April 30 meeting is not guaranteed, Bank of Finland governor Olli Rehn said, as the institution monitors the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict. Rehn warned that headline inflation will rise this year but emphasized uncertainty over the war's medium-term impact and highlighted the role of the…
The European Central Bank has recommended that it be given authority to assess the total capital requirements facing euro zone banks, including measures set by national regulators, as part of a set of 17 proposals submitted to the European Commission. The ECB says a holistic assessment by its Governing Council and senior supervisors would help expo…
European Central Bank Governing Council member Olli Rehn said interest rate decisions are not predetermined and should be driven by the broader economic picture rather than individual price movements. He cautioned that headline inflation will rise in 2026, while the medium-term implications of recent shocks - including the war in the Middle East - …
Hui Ka Yan, founder of China Evergrande Group, went from a high-profile presence at official celebrations to pleading guilty to fundraising fraud and bribery after three years in detention. His property empire, now in liquidation with liabilities above $300 billion, epitomizes the strain on China’s property sector and the risks of aggressive levera…
U.S. equity futures edged higher amid reports of potential progress in negotiations aimed at a permanent ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, even as a U.S.-enforced blockade of Iranian ports entered a second day and constrained passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices eased below $100 a barrel on improving diplomatic signals, while a wave …
European Central Bank policymaker and Bank of Finland governor Olli Rehn said the Middle East war underscores the importance of accelerating the green energy transition for Europe’s economic resilience and competitiveness. He warned that slowing that transition now would be a serious mistake, said a rise in headline inflation this year is unavoidab…
Investors have shifted capital into Chinese government bonds as low inflation and structural energy buffers make China less likely to raise interest rates in response to global oil-driven inflation pressures. March foreign inflows into Chinese debt contrasted with widespread outflows from other emerging markets, and short-term yields in China have …
Government indebtedness across the Group of Seven has climbed to levels that now amplify the effect of rising borrowing costs. Recent geopolitical shocks, notably the Iran conflict, have revived inflation risks and driven yields higher, intensifying pressure on countries with large deficits or heavy reliance on energy imports. Policymakers are reac…
Australia’s corporate sector is beginning to show tangible financial strain from the Middle East conflict and the accompanying surge in fuel prices. Profit warnings from Qantas Airways and Westpac, a steep fall in business confidence and a sharp drop in consumer sentiment point to mounting inflationary pressures alongside weaker demand, raising the…
U.S. diplomatic officials who met leaders of France’s National Rally returned unconvinced that the party has a credible economic programme to manage the country’s large, indebted economy. Concerns centered on unclear plans to cut the deficit, mixed messaging on fiscal priorities - including a potential rollback of a recent pension reform - and prop…
Businesses across Australia and New Zealand are reporting rising costs and operational disruptions linked to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Companies from carriers to banks and dairy exporters say elevated fuel and freight prices, supply-chain volatility and weaker consumer sentiment are creating headwinds for earnings and near-term activity.
Hui Ka Yan, founder of China Evergrande Group, pleaded guilty in a Shenzhen court to charges including misuse of funds, fundraising fraud and illegally taking public deposits. The company has defaulted since 2021 on the bulk of its roughly $300 billion in liabilities and on billions in wealth management product payments. Regulators fined Hui in 202…
Global markets rallied on hopes of resumed talks between Washington and Tehran after a weekend collapse in negotiations, even as a U.S. naval blockade of Iran's ports began and oil prices remained vulnerable. Asian shares rose and U.S. and European futures followed, while oil dipped below $100 a barrel. Central banks and corporate earnings will off…
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Semafor Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith that the Federal Reserve should hold off on lowering interest rates as the war in Iran unfolds. He described the U.S. economy as "very strong" in January and February, expressed confidence that recent price jumps will not become entrenched in inflation expectations, and hi…
China's export growth cooled to an annual 2.5% in March, a five-month low, while imports surged 27.8% - the strongest rise since November 2021. The slowdown in outbound shipments underlines how the Middle East conflict and its resulting energy shock have complicated the boost from AI-related tech demand and raised questions about the outlook for th…
Shin Hyun-song, the nominee for governor of the Bank of Korea, told parliament in written remarks that won-denominated stablecoins should be introduced and could coexist with central bank digital currencies and deposit tokens. He reiterated concerns over high household debt and the need for continued de-leveraging and property market measures, and …
A National Australia Bank survey released Tuesday found business confidence plunged 29 points to -29 in March - the second largest monthly decline on record - after the Iran war triggered a global oil shock. Business conditions remained at +6 but profits and margins weakened as purchase costs rose sharply. The Reserve Bank of Australia raised rates…
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said she and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi requested that Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa refrain from public comments on the Bank of Japan's monetary policy, arguing that decisions on specific policy tools belong to the BOJ. The appeal follows Mr. Akazawa's suggestion that an April rate hike "c…
