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.
7,192 total articles
The European Commission says a surge in energy prices linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict could put as many as 1.3 million jobs at risk across several energy-intensive sectors this year. Labour Commissioner Roxana Minzatu singled out the automotive industry as the most exposed, and provided sector-level estimates for construction, metals, chemicals, t…
The European Commission warns that a surge in energy prices tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict could put as many as 1.3 million jobs at risk across the EU this year, concentrated in energy-intensive manufacturing and related sectors. The automotive industry is expected to suffer most, while households on lower incomes will face higher transport fuel co…
The European Commission has proposed initiating an excessive deficit procedure against Bulgaria, saying the country’s budget gap is expected to top the EU limit of 3% of GDP in 2026. Sofia's government says it will act immediately to rein in spending while preparing to tap markets for additional funding.
Germany told reporters it expects the United States to uphold the standing EU-US trade agreement after U.S. officials proposed a 10% tariff on imports from the European Union and other economies. Berlin said its priority is seeing the existing accord implemented and expressed confidence that Washington will honor it. The proposed tariffs were justi…
President Donald Trump acknowledged using expletives in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he urged an end to hostilities between Israel and Lebanon and sought to preserve negotiations with Iran. The call came after Tehran threatened to halt talks with the United States and to tighten maritime restrictions in the Strait …
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda signaled the central bank may raise interest rates at its June 15-16 policy meeting if upside risks to inflation prove larger than the economic headwinds from the Middle East conflict. Traders are pricing in an 85% chance of a quarter-point hike, which would take the benchmark rate to its highest level since 1995. …
The European Commission has launched an excessive deficit procedure against Bulgaria after Brussels found the country will breach the EU 3% of GDP budget deficit ceiling in 2026 and 2027. A prolonged political crisis, repeated elections and generous increases to public sector pay and social benefits are cited as the primary drivers of the fiscal sl…
President Donald Trump told a podcast audience that he believes Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would make a formidable Republican ticket in 2028, praising their rapport and suggesting the partnership would be hard to beat. Both officials are viewed as possible contenders for the GOP nomination, though each has downplayed…
Foreign exchange strategists surveyed between May 29 and June 3 expect the U.S. dollar to remain largely range-bound in the short term and to weaken later in the year. Optimism that the Middle East conflict will end soon and that its inflationary effects will prove temporary underpins that view, even as oil prices and inflation have already risen a…
Suno Inc. raised $400 million at a $5.4 billion valuation, led by Bond Capital and joined by several prominent venture firms. The funding comes seven months after a $250 million round and will be used to accelerate hiring, develop new products and support growth as the company scales subscribers and revenue.
Senior economists at the European Central Bank caution that the current inflation shock in the euro zone carries a mix of mitigating and amplifying factors compared with 2022. Inflation recently rose to 3.2% amid an energy-driven spike linked to the war in Iran, and the shock is propagating into services. A modest interest-rate increase later this …
Swiss National Bank Chairman Martin Schlegel cautioned that global economic growth could decelerate temporarily as uncertainty increases. Speaking at an event for the Swiss hospitality industry in Bern, Schlegel highlighted the resilience and competitiveness of Swiss hotels despite upward pressure on the franc, noted that overseas hotel prices in l…
Russia's oil and gas tax receipts rose 32.4% year-on-year in May to 678.9 billion roubles ($9.3 billion), driven by higher global oil prices. The May figure accounted for about one-fifth of total budget income, but year-to-date collections remain well below 2025 levels, and monthly proceeds fell from April because of cyclical profit-based tax payme…
Large technology companies have raised substantial sums in debt markets to finance AI-related infrastructure, a trend that market participants say has contributed to the recent rise in long-term Treasury yields. The surge in corporate issuance, plus swaps that convert shorter debt into long-duration funding, has increased supply of duration in the …
The European Commission has rebuffed a proposed set of U.S. tariffs that Washington tied to allegations the EU has not effectively barred imports made with forced labour. The EU described the tariff rationale as unjustified and reiterated its intention to meet commitments from last year's trade agreement with the United States by the end of June.
The European Central Bank has met with commercial banks and will require practical defenses against risks posed by advanced AI models, board member Frank Elderson said. The ECB plans to write to all bank chief executives asking for proactive measures and will follow up with targeted engagement. Elderson warned that threats go beyond traditional cyb…
The European Central Bank met with commercial banks to outline growing threats from recent advances in artificial intelligence and will send a 'dear CEO letter' asking firms to adopt proactive, long-term measures. ECB supervisory vice chair Frank Elderson warned that AI can accelerate cyberattacks and turn small vulnerabilities into systemic threat…
A Reuters poll of 80 economists finds the European Central Bank is expected to lift its deposit rate to 2.25% on June 11, with the majority forecasting at least one more 25-basis-point move later in the year. Elevated headline and core inflation, driven in part by higher energy prices linked to the Iran war, are weighing on policy decisions even as…
UBS expects the European Central Bank to respond to a recent uptick in inflation with short-term policy rate increases, followed by rate reductions in 2027 once the energy-driven inflation shock dissipates. The bank cites stronger input-cost pressures and faster selling-price inflation as reasons for near-term hawkishness, but points to weakening a…
Senior economists at the European Central Bank cautioned that the current inflation shock in the euro area is not necessarily more benign than the episode in 2022. While several conditions - including weaker household demand, a softer labour market and tighter fiscal and monetary settings - point to lower upside risks, the shock's heavy reliance on…
U.S. equity futures were largely flat as investors balanced strong enthusiasm for artificial intelligence and another run of record closes against renewed fighting between the U.S. and Iran and a downgraded global growth outlook from the OECD. Brent crude climbed above $97 a barrel as concerns over disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz persist. In tr…
A senior European Parliament trade official warned that additional U.S. duties on EU imports would be intolerable, rejecting U.S. findings that the EU has failed to stem trade in forced labour goods. The dispute centers on proposed 10% or 12.5% duties from the U.S. Trade Representative on imports from 60 economies, and whether any new levies would …
The OECD has downgraded its global growth forecast sharply, citing the economic fallout from the U.S.-Iran war and disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz. Its June Economic Outlook outlines a baseline that assumes a rapid peace agreement and easing energy-price pressures by mid-year, and a much bleaker scenario if shipping and energy disruptions persi…
European shares slipped modestly on June 3 as renewed hostilities in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher and reduced hopes of an imminent peace deal. The STOXX 600 fell 0.1% to 624.32 by 0805 GMT. Brent crude rose about 2% after the U.S. military said it thwarted Iranian missile attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait and other regional targets. Comments f…
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development says the global economy’s path depends on the duration of the war in the Middle East. A short conflict would see energy supplies normalise and a modest slowdown in growth; prolonged disruption could sharply reduce growth, push inflation higher and prompt central banks to tighten policy furth…
