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

912 total articles

Rooftop Solar Sector Contracts After Homeowner Tax Credit Expires

Rooftop Solar Sector Contracts After Homeowner Tax Credit Expires

The end of the 30% federal income tax credit for rooftop solar systems has precipitated layoffs, market exits and bankruptcies across the U.S. residential solar industry. Companies are cutting costs and pivoting toward third-party ownership models that retain access to tax incentives, even as analytics firms forecast a sharp fall in installations a…

Bank of England Keeps Bank Rate at 3.75% as Inflation Remains Above Target

Bank of England Keeps Bank Rate at 3.75% as Inflation Remains Above Target

At its first policy meeting of the year, the Bank of England left the Bank Rate unchanged at 3.75%, with the nine-member Monetary Policy Committee split five-to-four in favour of holding rates. Policymakers cited persistent inflation as the reason for a cautious stance despite evidence of weakening hiring and slowing pay growth. External forecasts …

UK Signals Imminent Free-Trade Agreement with Gulf Cooperation Council

UK Signals Imminent Free-Trade Agreement with Gulf Cooperation Council

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle told delegates at the UK Trade and Export Finance Forum that an announcement on a UK-GCC free-trade agreement is 'imminent.' Talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council, which comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, began in 2022 and have experienced delays; negotiators …

Global cash flows propel Malaysia into regional investment spotlight

Global cash flows propel Malaysia into regional investment spotlight

A surge of foreign capital into Malaysian assets reflects growing investor confidence in the country’s steady growth, policy stability and a strengthening ringgit. Foreign inflows into local-currency debt, a rising stock market, and substantial data centre investment have positioned Malaysia as an attractive middle ground for global investors seeki…

Investors Weigh Bargain Hunting as Software Stocks Plummet Amid AI Anxiety

Investors Weigh Bargain Hunting as Software Stocks Plummet Amid AI Anxiety

A steep fall in software stocks has prompted some portfolio managers to pick at beaten-down names, while others remain wary pending clearer signs of AI-driven revenue and corporate adoption. The sector's declines, driven by concerns over artificial intelligence disruption and weak earnings from major firms, have triggered technical readings that so…

Dollar Holds Ground Ahead of ECB and BoE Rate Calls

Dollar Holds Ground Ahead of ECB and BoE Rate Calls

The U.S. dollar was steady in early Asian trading as investors awaited interest rate announcements from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, both widely expected to keep policy rates unchanged. Market attention is on the ECB’s subsequent press conference for guidance on the near-term path of rates, while U.S. corporate earnings and he…

ECB Poised to Hold Rates as Euro Strength and Calm Growth Reduce Policy Urgency

ECB Poised to Hold Rates as Euro Strength and Calm Growth Reduce Policy Urgency

The European Central Bank is expected to keep interest rates unchanged and signal no imminent change to policy, reflecting stable inflation near the 2% target, growth close to potential and a neutral interest rate stance. While officials are likely to describe policy as being in a 'good place', recent currency moves, commodity price swings and geop…

U.S. and Iran Set for Nuclear Talks in Muscat After Regional Pressure

U.S. and Iran Set for Nuclear Talks in Muscat After Regional Pressure

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Araghchi confirmed that nuclear talks between Iran and the United States will take place in Muscat on Friday at around 10 a.m., with Oman facilitating arrangements. The meeting was shifted from Istanbul after Iran requested a venue change and a stricter, bilateral focus on nuclear issues. U.S. officials initially resi…

Treasury Secretary Bessent Recants Earlier Claim That Tariffs Are Inflationary

Treasury Secretary Bessent Recants Earlier Claim That Tariffs Are Inflationary

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told House lawmakers he was wrong to tell partners in January 2024 that "tariffs are inflationary." Speaking at a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Bessent said the U.S. economy is growing and inflation is coming down, and noted recent Producer Price Index data that could signal a near-term pick-up in…

U.S. Seeks Minimum Prices for Critical Minerals in Talks with Mexico, EU and Japan

U.S. Seeks Minimum Prices for Critical Minerals in Talks with Mexico, EU and Japan

The United States is coordinating with Mexico, the European Union and Japan to pursue minimum pricing for critical minerals, according to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. An action plan with Mexico will be put in place over 60 days as part of a USMCA review due by July 1, while talks with the EU and Japan could produce a memorandum and a b…

Bessent Defends Fed Independence, Flags Stablecoins as Potential Treasury Tool

Bessent Defends Fed Independence, Flags Stablecoins as Potential Treasury Tool

Treasury Secretary Bessent told the House Financial Services Panel that Federal Reserve independence is essential to effective monetary policy, urging the central bank to stay within its core mandate. He acknowledged a loss of public trust during the inflation episode, cautioned against chasing a 'zero-risk financial system,' and signaled support f…

Telekom and Nvidia Launch €1 Billion Munich AI Data Center, German Finance Minister Says It Bolsters Digital Sovereignty

Telekom and Nvidia Launch €1 Billion Munich AI Data Center, German Finance Minister Says It Bolsters Digital Sovereignty

Deutsche Telekom AG and Nvidia Corp. inaugurated a €1 billion ($1.2 billion) data center in Munich on Wednesday. Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil attended the opening and said the facility will reinforce Germany's digital independence and serve as a core pillar for the German and European AI ecosystem. SAP SE will provide platfor…

Treasury Sets $125 Billion Quarterly Refunding, Keeps Coupon and FRN Sizes Steady

Treasury Sets $125 Billion Quarterly Refunding, Keeps Coupon and FRN Sizes Steady

The U.S. Treasury announced a $125 billion quarterly refunding for February-April 2026 that aims to raise $34.8 billion in new cash from private investors. It will hold coupon and floating rate note auction sizes steady for the near term, publish specific next-week auction sizes, and expects to reduce short-dated bill auctions around the April 15 t…

Russia Faces Sharper-Than-Expected Budget Gap as Oil Revenue Slips

Russia Faces Sharper-Than-Expected Budget Gap as Oil Revenue Slips

Confidential calculations by economists tied to a government think tank indicate Russia's budget shortfall could widen to 3.5-4.4% of GDP in 2026, far above the government's 1.6% target. The projected deterioration reflects an assumed 18% fall in energy revenues, lower total budget receipts and a potential rise in spending, while fiscal reserves ma…