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.
7,101 total articles
Japanese investors recorded a net sale of 2.72 trillion yen in foreign equities in May, the biggest monthly withdrawal since April 2021, according to Ministry of Finance data. The pullback came as the MSCI World Index retreated from a record and as flows moved into overseas debt, where net purchases reached their highest level since May 2025.
U.S. stock-index futures traded mixed as investors weighed fresh strikes between Iran and Israel alongside mounting concerns about the sustainability of the AI investment theme. A strong U.S. jobs report and rising oil prices have heightened expectations for higher interest rates, while gold slid to an 11-week low. Apple is set to open its annual d…
A swift reversal in global tech stocks has exposed the risks of record retail leverage in South Korea. After a rapid KOSPI rally that doubled the index in six months, retail investors increased margin and took up new single-stock leveraged ETFs tied to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. A recent pullback erased gains for many small investors and pro…
The European Central Bank is widely expected to lift interest rates this week, becoming the first major central bank to act since the recent energy shock linked to the Iran conflict. Officials are balancing the need to prevent inflation from becoming entrenched against the risk of worsening an already weakening economy across the 21-country euro ar…
Hungary’s deputy central bank governor said a recent drop in inflation together with an improvement in risk premia have likely reduced the level of interest rates needed to secure price stability. Yet policymakers remain cautious about cutting rates amid volatility in long-term yields, energy prices and international uncertainty, with the next deci…
Europe’s STOXX 600 slipped to a two-week trough as renewed clashes between Israel and Iran sent crude higher and a global downturn in AI-related shares hit technology names. Broad losses across regional markets were punctuated by a surge in Monte dei Paschi di Siena after Intesa Sanpaolo announced an unsolicited €30.6 billion cash-and-share bid.
A Reuters poll of 38 economists taken June 3-8 indicates India's consumer price inflation likely increased to 4.0% in May from 3.48% in April. The rise was driven by rebounding vegetable prices and higher transport costs after a series of fuel price hikes by state-owned retailers amid conflict-related supply concerns. Wholesale inflation accelerate…
Goldman Sachs has moved its projected Federal Reserve easing timeline into 2027, citing a stronger-than-expected labor market and inflation dynamics that are likely to keep core inflation above target through 2026. The bank lowered its unemployment forecast for this year and raised the probability of an additional rate hike, while keeping its termi…
South Korea’s benchmark index sank sharply on Monday, falling as much as 8.8% in early trade and activating market circuit breakers after stronger-than-expected U.S. employment data raised expectations of further Federal Reserve tightening. The rout was concentrated in large-cap technology and semiconductor stocks, with Samsung Electronics and SK H…
Swiss voters will decide on June 14 whether to limit the country’s population to 10 million. Backed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, the proposal is pitched as a response to pressure on infrastructure and rising local concerns, while businesses and economists warn it could reduce access to talent, threaten accords with the EU and shave billi…
Vietnam's deputy central bank governor Pham Thanh Ha said the country will prioritize targeted expansionary fiscal policy to reach its growth goals, noting limited room for further monetary easing. Officials aim for at least 10% GDP growth and 4.5% inflation this year even as inflation accelerates and the trade deficit widened to a record in May am…
Bank of England policymaker Alan Taylor said he considers the present level of interest rates to be restrictive for the economy and does not believe an increase is necessary to counter inflationary pressure that has risen following the war involving the U.S., Israel and Iran. Taylor reiterated he is content with the current stance unless the situat…
A Reuters poll of 32 economists expects China’s exports to have risen 15% year-on-year in dollar terms in May, supported by front-loaded overseas orders tied to concerns about energy prices from the Gulf war and continued global demand for semiconductors and AI-related components. While exports held up, economists warn the boost may be temporary as…
Goldman Sachs now projects the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates through 2026 and begin cutting in mid-2027, citing stronger-than-expected U.S. job growth and ongoing inflationary pressures tied to the Middle East. The bank moved its cut forecasts to June and December 2027 from earlier calls for reductions in December 2026 and March 2027, an…
A sharp selloff in technology shares hit Asian markets on Monday, led by an over 8% drop in South Korea's KOSPI that triggered circuit breakers. The move echoed last week's decline on Wall Street after a strong U.S. jobs report lifted expectations for additional Federal Reserve rate increases. Markets now put the odds of a December Fed rate rise ab…
Bank Indonesia and the finance ministry agreed on June 6 to raise yields on Indonesian assets to lure back portfolio inflows and shore up the rupiah after recent record lows. Officials provided few operational details, while markets continue to wrestle with heavy capital outflows, a plunging stock market and concerns over fiscal plans and instituti…
Wu Qing, the chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), has issued a directive to China’s $13 trillion fund industry, emphasizing the need for capital to drive domestic innovation. While advocating for increased support for emerging industries and hard technology start-ups, Wu cautioned against speculative behavior, blind sector…
Asian equity markets have continued a period of significant selling pressure, following a volatile week characterized by sharp declines in the technology sector. The selloff has been particularly pronounced in semiconductor-related stocks, contributing to a substantial drop in South Korea's KOSPI, which fell by more than 4.5%. This downturn follows…
The U.S. dollar is trading near its highest level in two months following a significant surge in American employment data. The report, which indicated that nonfarm payrolls grew by 172,000 jobs last month, exceeded market expectations and has prompted traders to increase their bets on potential interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve later thi…
Asian equity markets are preparing for a downward trajectory this Monday, following a period of significant volatility in U.S. markets. The downturn follows the conclusion of a nine-week winning streak on Wall Street, triggered primarily by heavy selling within the technology sector. This shift comes as geopolitical instability in the Middle East e…
The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has issued a clarification regarding the ongoing regulatory crackdown on what it defines as "illegal" cross-border investments. Addressing widespread investor anxiety, the watchdog stated that the current rectification efforts are not intended to trigger the forced closure of offshore accounts or th…
Recent data released by Incomes Data Research (IDR) reveals that median pay increases awarded by significant British employers remained constant at 3.5% for the three-month period ending in April. This figure matches the median growth recorded during the previous three months leading up to March. Despite a recent uptick in the national minimum wage…
UBS Global Research says record foreign sales of Korean equities in 2026 — roughly $70 billion in the first half — reflect extreme market concentration rather than weak fundamentals. Heavy gains in two semiconductor names appear to have forced global funds into automatic rebalancing, contributing to substantial portfolio outflows and pressure on th…
Kevin Warsh’s contention that artificial intelligence will suppress inflation is challenged by a BCA Research report from Chief Strategist Peter Berezin. The report says the 1996-98 Greenspan-era comparison is misplaced, and points to rising tech investment, higher input costs, and a pronounced wealth effect as forces likely to keep inflation above…
Deutsche Bank expects the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup, beginning June 11 across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, to add a modest 0.05% to U.S. GDP. Still, the bank singled out specific consumer, lodging, media and gaming companies likely to see revenue and demand gains during the 39-day tournament.
