By Priya Raman
Economist by training. Covers central banks, inflation, jobs data and the policy decisions that shape the cycle.
Thailand's Q2 growth beats forecasts but economy still shrinks
Thailand's economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter, but still contracted from the previous three months. High household debt
Japan's Nikkei slips as growth disappoints and bond yields climb
Japan's economy expanded at a 1.1% annualized pace in the second quarter, missing forecasts, while Middle East tensions kept oil prices high
China stocks edge up as money supply grows despite cooling credit
China's stocks opened slightly higher after data showed money supply still expanding and a wider current account surplus, even as July credi
New Zealand services growth stalls as hiring keeps shrinking
New Zealand's services sector stayed in growth in July, but only barely. The PSI edged down to 50.6, while hiring and supplier deliveries bo
Japan's economy slows as consumer spending stalls in Q2
Japan's economy grew at a 1.1% annualized pace in April–June, but the details were softer than expected. Household spending was flat and bus
UK hiring stays subdued as pay growth holds at 3%, CIPD finds
UK employers are keeping hiring plans near post-pandemic lows even as expected pay rises hold at 3%, according to a new CIPD survey. The 'lo
US retail sales fall 0.6% in July as consumer sentiment hits 51.0
July retail sales fell 0.6% versus expectations of a 0.1% gain, and August consumer sentiment dropped to 51.0. The data points to a slowing
Phillips 66 and Marathon Petroleum abandon $180B merger talks
Phillips 66 and Marathon Petroleum reportedly weighed a merger that would have created a $180 billion refining giant, but the talks collapse
Canada's wholesale sales climb 2.8% in June to C$92.5B
Canadian wholesale sales rose 2.8% in June to C$92.5 billion, the fourth gain in five months. Volumes hit a record high and the inventory-to
Canada factory sales edge up in June but backlogs hit record C$131.8B
Canada's factories grew for a fifth straight month in June, but unfilled orders hit a record C$131.8B. Aerospace demand is stretching backlo
US retail sales drop 0.6% in July, signaling softer consumer spending
US retail sales fell 0.6% in July, and the control group that feeds into GDP slipped 0.5%. The pullback suggests consumers are tightening sp
RBC: US tariffs a headwind for Canada, not a shock
RBC Economics estimates the latest US tariff threats affect only about 5% of Canadian exports and 0.4% of GDP and jobs. That makes them a he