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

6,527 total articles

Kremlin Says EU’s Proposed Bank Sanctions Will Not Dent Russian Lenders

Kremlin Says EU’s Proposed Bank Sanctions Will Not Dent Russian Lenders

The Kremlin said proposed European Union sanctions directed at Russian banks and cryptocurrency networks will not harm banks' operations or profits, arguing that the country’s largest lenders have functioned under long-standing restrictions without adverse effects. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cited ongoing central bank oversight and President P…

Serbia and MOL Resolve Terms Over NIS Stake; State to Gain Contingent 5% Holding

Serbia and MOL Resolve Terms Over NIS Stake; State to Gain Contingent 5% Holding

Serbia said it has cleared outstanding issues with Hungary's MOL Group concerning a potential transaction involving Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS). Under the arrangement, Belgrade would acquire an additional 5% of NIS if MOL and Gazprom Neft complete a deal for the 56.15% stake currently held by the Russian parties, a move that would strengthen Ser…

UBS Delays Expected Fed Rate Cuts, Now Sees Easing Starting March 2027

UBS Delays Expected Fed Rate Cuts, Now Sees Easing Starting March 2027

UBS has moved its projection for the Federal Reserve's first interest-rate cut to March 2027, pointing to still-firm inflation measures and a robust labor market. The bank expects a second cut in June 2027 and sees the policy rate ultimately returning to a 3.00-3.25% range, while flagging mixed inflation readings and upside risks tied to energy and…

Pakistan’s economic survey forecasts 3.7% real GDP growth for FY26

Pakistan’s economic survey forecasts 3.7% real GDP growth for FY26

Pakistan’s annual economic survey projects real GDP growth of 3.7% for the fiscal year ending June 2026. The report highlights an average CPI inflation rate of 6.7% in the July-May period, a modest current account deficit of $252 million in July-April, and a trade shortfall of $23.53 billion from July to March. Fiscal metrics improved markedly, wit…

Serbia's central bank keeps key rate at 5.75% citing energy shock uncertainty

Serbia's central bank keeps key rate at 5.75% citing energy shock uncertainty

The National Bank of Serbia left its key policy rate unchanged at 5.75%, with the deposit and lending facilities held at 4.5% and 7.0%, respectively. Officials described the stance as wait-and-see, identifying a Middle East energy shock as the principal new factor affecting future decisions. The bank now explicitly anticipates a temporary breach of…

Ireland's annual inflation eases to 3.6% in May as monthly CPI slips

Ireland's annual inflation eases to 3.6% in May as monthly CPI slips

Ireland's annual consumer price inflation cooled to 3.6% in May from 3.7% in April, the Central Statistics Office reported. On a monthly basis the Consumer Price Index fell 0.1%, reversing April's 0.5% increase. Education services and clothing and footwear recorded the largest annual price gains. The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, which enabl…

Deutsche Bank Sees UK Inflation Rising Into Early Summer as Services Costs Rebound

Deutsche Bank Sees UK Inflation Rising Into Early Summer as Services Costs Rebound

Deutsche Bank Research expects UK headline consumer price inflation to increase to 3.01% year-on-year in May 2026, with services inflation rebounding to 3.65% year-on-year. The bank warns of mounting price pressures as energy bill resets approach, and it has adjusted its full-year CPI and RPI forecasts while flagging upside risks tied to geopolitic…

BOJ Faces Optics Test as Governor Ueda Is Hospitalised Ahead of Key Rate Decision

BOJ Faces Optics Test as Governor Ueda Is Hospitalised Ahead of Key Rate Decision

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda's two-week hospitalisation removes the visible anchor from a critical June policy meeting and could complicate communications as the BOJ moves toward further rate increases. While officials and analysts say the upcoming rate decision is settled and Ueda is expected to continue duties remotely and return in July, hi…

ECB Set to Resume Rate Increases as Energy Shock Forces Policy Choice

ECB Set to Resume Rate Increases as Energy Shock Forces Policy Choice

The European Central Bank is widely expected to end a year-long pause and raise its deposit facility rate by 25 basis points to 2.25% at its upcoming meeting, responding to a sharp energy-driven inflation shock tied to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. With consumer inflation at 3.2% in May and core inflation at 2.5%, economists forecast the ECB…

U.S. and Iran Exchange Airstrikes for Second Consecutive Day as Tensions Escalate

U.S. and Iran Exchange Airstrikes for Second Consecutive Day as Tensions Escalate

For a second day running, U.S. and Iranian forces traded airstrikes, with U.S. Central Command describing American strikes as self-defense after a downed U.S. helicopter. Iran responded with attacks on U.S. bases and allied positions across the Gulf and asserted it had blocked traffic through the Strait of Hormuz - a claim the U.S. denied. Presiden…

Markets Wobble as Middle East Strikes and Tech Turmoil Rattle Sentiment

Markets Wobble as Middle East Strikes and Tech Turmoil Rattle Sentiment

Fresh U.S. strikes in Iran and retaliatory statements from Tehran pushed Brent crude higher and undermined global equity confidence. Technology names, meanwhile, faced renewed pressure amid repositioning ahead of a large IPO and weaker-than-expected corporate guidance. Market attention shifts to the European Central Bank meeting, German current acc…

Tech Selloff and Geopolitical Tensions Pressure Global Markets

Tech Selloff and Geopolitical Tensions Pressure Global Markets

Global equity markets faced significant downward pressure on Wednesday as a heavy selloff in the technology sector coincided with heightened geopolitical risks. Investor sentiment was further impacted by threats regarding Iran, leading to an uptick in oil prices. While global trade shows signs of expansion, there are concerns that headline growth f…

Wall Street Retreats Over 1% as Tech Slumps and Iran Tensions Rise

Wall Street Retreats Over 1% as Tech Slumps and Iran Tensions Rise

Major U.S. equity benchmarks fell more than 1% as semiconductor stocks extended recent declines and renewed friction between the U.S. and Iran heightened investor concern. Data showing a pickup in consumer prices and a strong U.S. jobs report have traders weighing the likelihood of higher rates later in the year, while risk-off flows pressured a br…