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
The International Monetary Fund will unveil its long-awaited annual assessment of U.S. economic policy on February 25, delivering analysis of fiscal shortfalls, trade and current account gaps, and a general evaluation of the dollar’s valuation. IMF officials reaffirmed the dollar’s central role in the global monetary system even amid recent depreci…
The International Monetary Fund characterized Venezuela’s current economic and humanitarian situation as "quite fragile," citing estimated triple-digit inflation, rapid currency depreciation and a public debt burden equivalent to 180% of GDP before arbitration or judgments. The IMF said it has paused formal relations with Caracas since 2019 but is …
Freddie Mac data show U.S. mortgage rates declined to their lowest levels in over three years. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.01% this week, while the 15-year averaged 5.35%. Freddie Mac's chief economist says the lower rates are improving affordability and boosting homeowners' financial positions, and refinance activity has more than d…
The International Monetary Fund says Lebanon's economy has shown resilience and a modest rebound driven by tourism, but a durable return to growth hinges on a suite of comprehensive reforms. IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack confirmed ongoing, complex discussions with Lebanese authorities ahead of a requested IMF-supported program in March 2025, stressi…
The U.S. International Trade Commission has launched a formal investigation into the automotive rules of origin under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The probe will assess the rules' effect on the U.S. economy, competitiveness and whether recent technology changes affect their relevance. The review examines tighter regional value…
Canada’s merchandise trade deficit narrowed to $1.3 billion in December from a revised $2.6 billion in November, led by a 2.6% rise in exports driven by higher precious metals shipments and record aerospace exports. The Canadian dollar’s appreciation tempered values in local currency even as exports rose 4.5% in U.S. dollar terms. Annual figures sh…
The United Kingdom has not given permission for the United States to use the Diego Garcia base in the Chagos Islands or an English airfield for any potential strike on Iran, according to people familiar with the situation. The decision follows a buildup of U.S. military assets in the Middle East and public comments by the U.S. president identifying…
The U.S. trade deficit widened to $70.3 billion in December, a rise of $17.3 billion from November and notably above economists' $55.5 billion forecast. For the full year 2025 the deficit amounted to $901.5 billion, a slight decline of 0.2% from 2024, with exports and imports both increasing year-over-year.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said Chinese technology companies have moved at an 'amazingly fast' pace and made 'remarkable' advances across much of the tech stack, while noting uneven progress across different areas. His remarks come amid a race between China and the United States to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI). Altman also discussed Ope…
President Donald Trump told the opening meeting of his Board of Peace that the United States will provide funds to strengthen the United Nations, improve its facilities and make the organization viable. The pledge comes amid an administration policy of withholding mandatory payments to U.N. regular and peacekeeping budgets and reductions in volunta…
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari criticized the practical value of cryptocurrency and questioned the utility of stablecoins compared with existing payment apps during a speaking engagement in North Dakota on Thursday. He also defended the Fed’s institutional independence in the face of political attacks, citing recent cri…
Household expectations for inflation over the next year declined to 13.1% in February from 13.7% in January, central bank data show. Analysts say the drop, following a VAT-driven price spike at the start of the year, increases scope for additional monetary easing after the central bank trimmed its key rate by 50 basis points to 15.5%. Community dou…
The White House has prepared detailed operational plans that would rely on British facilities - Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford - for potential strikes on Iran. The UK has not given prior approval for use of those bases for such an operation, citing worries about compliance with international law. In response to the absence of clearance, President Tr…
Canada's merchandise trade deficit narrowed to C$1.31 billion in December as exports grew faster than imports, driven principally by metals and non-metallic mineral shipments, especially unwrought gold. The share of exports sent to the United States fell to just over 67.4% of total exports, the lowest proportion on record outside two pandemic month…
TransUnion reports U.S. unsecured loan balances rose 10% last year to a record $276 billion, driven largely by subprime borrowers and consolidation of credit card debt. The bureau expects credit growth to normalize, forecasting modest increases across unsecured loans, mortgages and refinancings in 2026 while projecting a small contraction in auto l…
Brazil's central bank IBC-Br index recorded 2.5% growth in 2025, supported by a strong agricultural performance. Excluding a 13.1% surge in farming, the indicator would have climbed 1.8%. The reading outpaced initial projections and comes amid the central bank's high policy rate and a signalled shift toward easing.
U.S. defense officials told President Donald Trump that a concentration of aircraft, support assets and naval forces will reach the levels necessary by Saturday to begin sustained strikes against Iran if ordered. The buildup includes roughly 50 additional aircraft, a second carrier strike group en route, and enhanced ground-based missile defenses p…
Bank of England rate-setter Catherine Mann described this week's inflation figures as "good numbers" while cautioning that underlying inflation measures have not improved as much as hoped. She flagged a recent uptick in unemployment as a significant concern and said the central bank is nearing a point where monetary policy will be balanced between …
The Bundesbank says Germany's recovery will continue but with muted growth in the first quarter, and expects a stronger expansion from spring driven chiefly by fiscal stimulus. Headwinds for Q1 include weather-damaged construction activity and a likely cooling of private consumption, while industry faces export competitiveness challenges despite so…
President Donald Trump will speak in Rome, Georgia, focusing on measures he says will reduce costs for working Americans. The address comes as inflation readings show modest overall easing but persistent price pressures in food and housing, and as Republican control of Congress faces election-year uncertainty.
A prominent economist cautions that a rise in Japan's short-term policy rate to 1.0% could prompt substantial reallocation of household cash into interest-bearing bank accounts. That flow may increase the reserves financial institutions hold at the Bank of Japan and make it harder for the central bank to control short-term money market rates as it …
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde privately reassured colleagues that she remains focused on her ECB duties and would inform them directly if she intended to step down. The reassurance followed media reports that she planned to leave her post ahead of next year’s French presidential election to allow the outgoing French president a …
Bank Indonesia held its benchmark policy rate at 4.75% for the fifth consecutive review, citing persistent pressure on the rupiah despite economic fundamentals. The central bank called the currency 'undervalued,' pledged increased intervention in onshore and offshore markets and said future rate cuts would wait until exchange-rate stress subsides.
Bank Indonesia left its policy rate unchanged at 4.75% at its latest meeting, marking the fifth straight gathering without a change. The outcome matched the expectations of most market participants, and the session was the first to include Thomas Djiwandono as Deputy Governor. While the board kept a clear easing bias, analysts said a resumption of …
U.S. equity futures rose modestly as investors digested Federal Reserve minutes from January that included hawkish language, while strength in semiconductor and storage names led tech gains. Oil moved higher amid reports of increased military activity in the Middle East and tighter U.S. crude inventories. Retail giant Walmart and farm-equipment mak…
