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.
5,067 total articles
European Central Bank Chief Economist Philip Lane indicated the ECB will likely raise its inflation forecast in June to reflect a worsening macroeconomic outlook tied to the Middle East conflict. Lane told Nikkei that oil prices are expected to remain higher for longer than the March projections assumed, and while expanded U.S. natural gas supplies…
European Central Bank chief economist Philip Lane told the Nikkei that the bank is likely to revise both inflation and growth projections at its next quarterly review, reflecting a deteriorating macroeconomic outlook tied to the Middle East conflict and sustained upward pressure on oil prices. While increased U.S. natural gas supplies may provide s…
Bank of America updated its 2026 outlook for South Korea, lifting GDP growth to 3.1% year-over-year from a prior 1.9% forecast. The bank attributes the upgrade to a robust semiconductor upcycle, notably a sharp rise in DRAM price expectations, and forecasts an improvement in the current account surplus to 15% of GDP this year.
TOKYO, May 26 - The Japanese government in its May assessment kept its overall judgment that the economy is recovering moderately, while underscoring that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and volatility in financial markets pose notable risks. Officials left most sector evaluations unchanged, noting modest improvements in business investmen…
U.S. equity futures climbed as traders returned from the holiday weekend, even as fresh military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran undermined hopes for a near-term peace settlement. Brent crude rose sharply above $98 a barrel, well above pre-war levels, while gold eased as the dollar held up. Tech earnings and AI demand helped lift specific equit…
The European Central Bank has warned that private credit markets pose potential financial stability risks after recent turmoil in the United States and several corporate defaults. While direct euro-area exposures are currently limited, the ECB highlighted vulnerabilities tied to concentrated sector bets, deteriorating borrower cash-flow metrics and…
The European Central Bank said private credit market disruptions are unlikely to trigger systemic instability across the euro area, but identified concentrated exposures and potential second-round effects for insurance companies and pension funds. The ECB warned that limited regulatory visibility and ties between private credit and other riskier in…
OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman told an audience in Sydney that while artificial intelligence is being rapidly adopted across industries, the predicted large-scale displacement of entry-level white-collar roles has not occurred to the extent he once expected. Speaking at a Commonwealth Bank of Australia conference, Altman said his team was broadl…
Sri Lanka’s central bank raised its overnight policy rate by 100 basis points to 8.75% from 7.75%, the biggest move in four years. The decision, prompted by rising inflation and a weakening rupee tied to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, comes as the island nation contends with a sharp energy-driven cost shock, dwindling reserves and risks to economi…
European equities were largely flat early Tuesday while oil climbed after U.S. forces conducted strikes in southern Iran that sank two IRGC vessels. The actions have cooled hopes for an imminent U.S.-Iran deal and pushed Brent crude higher, benefiting energy names even as broader indices showed mixed movement.
A monthly survey of major UK retailers found shop price inflation rose to 1.2% in May from 1.0% in April, driven in part by disruption and higher energy costs tied to the Iran war. Food inflation eased to 2.7%, while furniture and health and beauty categories recorded the largest increases. Retailers are urging government action to cut non-commodit…
European Central Bank board member Isabel Schnabel said the ECB should raise interest rates in June, arguing that the current energy-price shock is already transmitting to the wider economy and can no longer be ignored. She cautioned that the scale and persistence of the disruption mean monetary tightening will be necessary even if a rapid geopolit…
ECB board member Isabel Schnabel said the bank should lift interest rates in June, even if peace talks with Iran produce an agreement, arguing that the energy shock has been prolonged, is reverberating across consumption and supply chains, and that monetary policy can no longer 'look through' the effects.
Oil prices rose after U.S. strikes in southern Iran described by Washington as defensive, occurring while Iranian negotiators were in Doha for talks on a potential settlement with the U.S. Hopes for a quick breakthrough were tamped down by both capitals, supporting the dollar and producing mixed stock moves. The situation has reinforced expectation…
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka increased its overnight policy rate by 100 basis points to 8.75% from 7.75% in an unexpected move designed to blunt rising inflation and defend the rupee amid a regional energy shock tied to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. The decision surprised many economists and comes as Sri Lanka contends with steep fuel price hike…
Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino has indicated that the central bank is closely watching geopolitical developments in the Middle East to determine the appropriate timing and speed for future interest rate increases. Speaking before parliament on Tuesday, Himino emphasized that the central bank's objective is to maintain market confidence …
The U.S. dollar experienced weakness during Tuesday's trading session as market participants reacted to emerging hopes for a diplomatic resolution in the Middle East. Investors are closely monitoring discussions aimed at ending the three-month conflict with Iran and potentially reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz. While these peace prospects have …
In an effort to increase the size of its military forces during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has enacted a new decree focused on providing financial relief to recent recruits. The measure specifically targets individuals who have entered into contracts with the Russian defense ministry and provides significant d…
The Bank of Korea (BOK) is anticipated to maintain its current base interest rate during its upcoming policy review on Thursday. According to a recent survey of economists, there is a growing consensus that the central bank will move toward monetary tightening later this year. While immediate rate hikes are not expected at this specific meeting, a …
Japan has experienced a shift in its global financial standing, descending to the position of the world's third-largest net creditor in 2025. According to data released by the Finance Ministry on Tuesday, this decline occurs even as the nation's net external assets reached an unprecedented level. While Japan's total net external assets, held by ind…
In a series of significant communications on Monday, President Donald Trump detailed specific requirements regarding Iran's enriched uranium holdings. The President stated that these nuclear materials must either be handed over to the United States for destruction at home or be destroyed within Iran, potentially in coordination with the Atomic Ener…
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has begun preventive, superficial radiotherapy on his scalp following the removal of a basal cell lesion on April 24, according to his medical team. Doctors say the 80-year-old leader will keep up his daily activities without restrictions as he prepares for an expected October run for a fourth non-conse…
Nigeria's economy expanded 3.89% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, a slight deceleration from the 4.07% growth recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, government statistics show. The slowdown affected both oil and non-oil sectors. Since assuming office in 2023, the president has removed fuel and power subsidies, devalued the naira and revi…
The Bank of Israel reduced its benchmark short-term rate to 3.75% from 4% on May 25, marking the third cut in six months. Policymakers pointed to a sharp appreciation of the shekel and steady inflation - 1.9% year-on-year in April, inside the 1-3% target - as justification for easing, while warning that geopolitical risks linked to the Iran conflic…
Speaking at the Vatican during the presentation of Pope Leo's first encyclical on artificial intelligence, Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah argued that responsibility for the trajectory of AI cannot rest solely with technology companies. He warned of the 'real possibility' that AI could displace workers 'at very large scale' and said supporting thos…
