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.
6,556 total articles
Italy will extend a temporary cut in fuel excise duties beyond its May 22 expiry as authorities respond to higher energy prices tied to Middle East tensions, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini said. The government has earmarked roughly 1 billion euros to lower pump prices for petrol and diesel. Salvini ac…
Home Depot reported quarterly sales above analyst expectations, driven by steady spending from professional customers and homeowners taking on smaller repair jobs. Investments in in-store tools and digital capabilities have helped attract Pro customers, offsetting continued weakness in do-it-yourself remodeling, the company said.
Fed funds futures have moved to price nearly a coin-flip chance of a Federal Reserve rate increase by December amid a sharp rise in Treasury yields and headline inflation. Several economists and strategists caution the signal may be overstated given thin trading in longer-dated contracts and the Fed's recent messaging, which has not signaled immine…
The gas carrier Perle arrived at China’s Beihai LNG terminal on Tuesday, completing delivery of a cargo loaded from Russia’s Portovaya facility on December 8 after spending almost six months in transit. Typical voyages from Russia to Asia take up to around 45 days. Portovaya, which serves Novatek and handles output from the Arctic LNG 2 project, op…
Germany's chemical industry association cautioned that a recent rise in order books should not be taken as evidence of recovery. VCI managing director Wolfgang Grosse Entrup said the increase stems from precautionary buying after supply disruptions related to the Iran war, while the sector continues to grapple with high energy costs, weak demand an…
Bank of America has reduced its eurozone inflation projections after revising down its natural gas price outlook. Headline HICP inflation is now seen peaking near 3.3% in late Q3 2026 instead of 4% in Q4 2026. The bank also adjusted core inflation and growth forecasts and reiterated its call for two modest ECB rate hikes next summer, followed by cu…
Iran has presented a peace proposal to the United States that would halt fighting across all fronts of the conflict, including Lebanon, demand reparations, require U.S. forces to leave areas near Iran, and seek removal of sanctions, unfreezing of funds and an end to a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. Pakistan reportedly transmitted the offer to Wash…
The Russian rouble reached its strongest level against the Chinese yuan since February 2023, trading at 10.45 per yuan, and moved below the 72 mark versus the U.S. dollar for the first time since March 2023. Officials and analysts linked the appreciation to higher oil prices, a 30-day extension of a U.S. sanctions waiver for Russian oil, increased …
Finance ministers and central bank governors from the G7 and invited partners convened in Paris to discuss economic fallout from the Middle East conflict, market volatility and efforts to diversify critical mineral supplies. France urged the IMF and World Bank to do more for countries most exposed to the crisis, while participants debated responses…
U.S. stock futures were largely subdued as markets weighed renewed remarks from President Donald Trump suggesting serious negotiations with Iran and as investors prepared for key corporate earnings. Oil prices remain markedly higher than before the joint U.S.-Israeli offensive in late February, keeping energy and inflation risks on the table. Meanw…
Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters warned that incoming Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh confronts a difficult mix of persistent inflation and political calls to lower interest rates. Winters said Warsh will be judged harshly if he does not move to cut borrowing costs even as U.S. consumer prices remain elevated. Market pricing and some Fed offic…
Bank of Japan officials and market participants say the central bank could slow or pause its reduction of JGB holdings if financial market stress intensifies, even as it prepares to raise short-term rates at its June meeting. The BOJ’s taper plan for fiscal 2027 will be reviewed in June amid persistent yield volatility and investor outreach that co…
Thailand’s cabinet has approved new borrowing of 200 billion baht to finance a four-month consumer subsidy scheme aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures linked to the Middle East war. The package covers roughly 43 million people, provides 1,000 baht per person per month from June through September, and includes targeted price subsidies. Officials…
A Bank of America monthly poll showed global fund managers increased their allocations to equities by the largest margin on record in May, citing stronger earnings prospects and the possibility of Federal Reserve rate cuts. The survey of 200 managers with $517 billion in combined assets also highlighted declining cash buffers, low expectations of a…
A fresh wave of selling in U.S. Treasuries shows signs of persistence as sticky inflation data, shifting rate expectations and a different mix of buyers combine to keep yields rising. Market participants are reassessing the levels at which they will re-enter, with some strategists warning that the 10-year could move toward 4.75% and that 30-year yi…
A recent market survey indicates China is set to hold its benchmark lending rates steady for a twelfth month in May, as plentiful interbank cash and subdued lending activity lessen the urgency for policy loosening. Short-term interbank rates are trading below policy guidance, the People’s Bank of China reiterated a 'moderately loose' stance while i…
Global markets remained cautious as U.S. President Donald Trump said he had paused a planned strike on Iran and indicated a 'very good chance' of a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear programme. Oil eased but stayed near $110 a barrel, more than 50% above pre-war levels. Equities were subdued across Asia and the U.S., while bond yields in the G7 approach…
Recent data indicates a modest uptick in Australian consumer sentiment for the month of May. According to the Westpac-Melbourne Institute survey, the primary index rose by 3.5%, reaching a level of 83. This follows a significant downturn in April, where the index experienced a 12.5% decline to its lowest point in over two years, driven largely by a…
Meeting minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) released on Tuesday indicate that policymakers viewed current interest rates as restrictive following three increases this year. The board deliberated between maintaining existing levels or implementing a 25-basis-point hike to reach 4.35%. This proposed move would effectively reverse the ent…
The Australian equity market staged a significant recovery on Tuesday, reversing recent losses as diplomatic developments regarding Iran provided relief to global traders. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose by 1%, reaching 8,594, representing its most substantial daily increase since early May. This upward movement follows a 1.5% decline recorded on Monday…
Japan's economy demonstrated unexpected resilience during the first quarter, outperforming market projections thanks to a recovery in private consumption and robust export activity. According to preliminary government data released on Tuesday, gross domestic product (GDP) expanded at an annualized rate of 2.1% for the January-March period. This fig…
Data released on Tuesday indicates that Japan's economy achieved an annualized growth rate of 2.1% during the first quarter. This performance suggests the nation was navigating a robust recovery path prior to the recent energy shocks stemming from conflict in the Middle East. The reported increase in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) exceeded the m…
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has expressed growing concern regarding the speed at which rising energy costs could impact consumer price indices. According to Sarah Hunter, an assistant governor at the RBA, the current state of the domestic economy is highly stretched, which may accelerate the pass-through effect of energy shocks into broader…
In a significant shift in regulatory enforcement, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Monday that it has rescinded its long-standing policy which prevented individuals and corporations involved in settlements from publicly refuting allegations of misconduct. Under the previous framework, defendants settling enforcement ac…
Equities experienced a broad retreat on Monday as an intensifying global bond rout pushed yields to historic levels. The spike in yields has clouded the economic outlook, creating headwinds for stock markets and dampening enthusiasm for the ongoing artificial intelligence rally ahead of critical earnings reports from major players like Nvidia. As i…
