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

5,100 total articles

ECB Signals Possible June Rate Increase to Curb Iran-Related Fuel Shock

ECB Signals Possible June Rate Increase to Curb Iran-Related Fuel Shock

The European Central Bank's chief economist Philip Lane said the ECB may have to raise interest rates in June to stop rising fuel costs tied to the Iran conflict from feeding into wages and wider price pressures. Lane said some policymakers view a June move as the first of several hikes, despite the potential drag on growth in energy-importing part…

Canada and Alberta Set Industrial Carbon Price at C$130 per Ton by 2040 to Clear Path for Pacific Pipeline Support

Canada and Alberta Set Industrial Carbon Price at C$130 per Ton by 2040 to Clear Path for Pacific Pipeline Support

The federal government and Alberta are concluding a deal to raise the province's industrial carbon price to C$130 per metric ton by 2040, a move that removes a key barrier to Ottawa supporting Alberta's proposed crude pipeline to the Pacific coast. The pact establishes escalating price floors from 2027 to 2040, acknowledges market dysfunction in ca…

Senate Confirms Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair as Inflation Pressures Mount

Senate Confirms Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair as Inflation Pressures Mount

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved Kevin Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve, clearing the way for him to assume leadership as inflation trends upward and markets reassess likely policy trajectories. Warsh was also confirmed to a 14-year term as a Fed governor on Tuesday; his formal swearing-in awaits final White House paperwork. His stated in…

Hungary to Pause Non-Essential Spending as New Government Reviews Budget

Hungary to Pause Non-Essential Spending as New Government Reviews Budget

Prime Minister Peter Magyar said his cabinet will temporarily suspend non-essential expenditures for about one to two weeks while the new government conducts a review of the state budget it inherited. He reiterated plans to secure an agreement with the European Union this month to free more than €10 billion in withheld funds, which he says could ad…

Kashkari Says Iran Conflict Has Amplified Inflation While Job Market Holds Steady

Kashkari Says Iran Conflict Has Amplified Inflation While Job Market Holds Steady

Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari said the Iran war has intensified already-elevated inflation and warned that closure of the Strait of Hormuz adds a major unknown to price pressures. Speaking at a St. Paul Area Chamber event, Kashkari said the Fed must bring inflation back to its 2% target and described the labor market as ‘lukew…

Bank of Canada Holds Rates but Flags Risk of Swift Change

Bank of Canada Holds Rates but Flags Risk of Swift Change

The Bank of Canada’s Governing Council decided it could keep its policy rate unchanged at 2.25% at the time of its April 29 announcement, according to minutes released Wednesday. While headline inflation was near the 2% target and GDP growth remained subdued, members warned that rising energy costs tied to the Iran conflict and other trade uncertai…

Kevin Warsh Poised to Lead Fed as Inflation Pressures Rise

Kevin Warsh Poised to Lead Fed as Inflation Pressures Rise

The U.S. Senate is set to confirm Kevin Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve, placing him in charge as the central bank contends with rising inflation that could complicate efforts to deliver the rate cuts urged by the president. Warsh will step into a policy environment marked by faster-than-expected producer and consumer price growth, an active …

Honeywell Sees Demand Lift from Iran Conflict and AI, CEO Says

Honeywell Sees Demand Lift from Iran Conflict and AI, CEO Says

Honeywell Chief Executive Vimal Kapur told Bloomberg Television that rising defense-related demand tied to the Iran conflict and growing adoption of artificial intelligence in industrial settings are boosting near-term demand for the company’s products. Kapur said these developments did not drive the company’s decision to split its automation and a…

BoE Seen Pausing at 3.75% as Some Economists Shift Toward Hikes Amid Energy Shock

BoE Seen Pausing at 3.75% as Some Economists Shift Toward Hikes Amid Energy Shock

A recent poll of economists finds the Bank of England is likely to keep its policy rate at 3.75% this year, but an increasing share of respondents now anticipate at least one rate hike as energy-price pressures tied to the Iran conflict lift inflation projections. Financial markets are more aggressive, pricing in two hikes. Growth forecasts remain …

Credit Agricole Sees Two 25bp SARB Hikes as Energy Prices Push Inflation Up

Credit Agricole Sees Two 25bp SARB Hikes as Energy Prices Push Inflation Up

Credit Agricole's emerging-markets research team projects two quarter-point increases from the South African Reserve Bank in May and July that would lift the policy rate to 7.25%. In a note from Sebastien Barbe, the bank says rising energy costs are accelerating inflation and that improving economic growth should help South Africa absorb tighter po…

Boston Fed's Collins: Further Rate Increases Possible if Inflation Persists

Boston Fed's Collins: Further Rate Increases Possible if Inflation Persists

Boston Federal Reserve President Susan Collins said the Fed may need to raise interest rates if recent inflationary pressures do not ease. Speaking to the Boston Economic Club, Collins emphasized the role of the Middle East conflict in amplifying inflation risks, described the U.S. economy as resilient, and said she expects to keep a slightly restr…

Starmer’s State Opening Overshadowed by Looming Leadership Challenge

Starmer’s State Opening Overshadowed by Looming Leadership Challenge

Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to use the State Opening of Parliament and the King's ceremonial address to reassert authority after Labour's poor local and regional election results. Reports that Health Secretary Wes Streeting was poised to resign, potentially triggering a leadership contest, surfaced as the King approached Parliament in full c…

BoE policymaker warns price-sensitive foreign buyers could amplify gilt volatility

BoE policymaker warns price-sensitive foreign buyers could amplify gilt volatility

Bank of England policymaker Catherine Mann warned that the growing share of price-sensitive foreign investors buying UK government debt in place of domestic pension funds could elevate volatility in gilt yields. She noted that while such investors can help keep interest rates lower, they may also withdraw quickly in response to shocks, potentially …

BoE Official Warns Shift in Gilt Buyers Could Drive Greater Yield Volatility

BoE Official Warns Shift in Gilt Buyers Could Drive Greater Yield Volatility

Bank of England policymaker Catherine Mann told an LSE audience that the increasing role of international, price-elastic investors in the UK gilt market could amplify volatility in borrowing costs. Her remarks followed a day of market turmoil that pushed 30-year and 10-year British yields to multi-decade highs and came amid political pressure on th…