By Priya Raman
Economist by training. Covers central banks, inflation, jobs data and the policy decisions that shape the cycle.
Jobless Claims Dip to 215K, But Rising Trendline and Continuing Claims Signal Cooling Labor Market
New US jobless claims dropped to 215,000 last week, beating expectations. But the four-week average edged higher to 224,250, and continuing
Brazil's Inflation Edges Up to 4.80%, Posing Challenge for Central Bank's Rate-Cut Path
Brazil's consumer prices rose 0.41% through mid-June, slightly below expectations, but the 12-month rate accelerated to 4.80%. That puts inf
Pound Drops 2.2% in June as UK Political Turmoil and Rate Bets Shift
The pound is down 2.2% in June, near its weakest since November, as UK political upheaval and cooling rate hike expectations weigh on the cu
El Niño Fears Push Vietnam Rice Prices Higher, Buyers Shift to India
Vietnam's 5% broken rice rose to $410-$415 per ton as El Niño worries build. Thailand's prices jumped to $480-$500, driving African buyers t
BofA Drops Call for BoE Rate Hike as UK Inflation Holds at 2.8%
Bank of America has abandoned its forecast for a Bank of England rate hike in 2023 after May inflation came in at 2.8%, unchanged from April
Palm Oil Falls for Third Day as Crude Slump Squeezes Biodiesel Demand
Malaysian palm oil futures fell for a third straight session as lower crude oil prices reduced the profitability of biodiesel blending. Even
UK Retail Sales Plunge to Record Low as Consumer Spending Falters
UK retailers reported their weakest sales reading in over 40 years, with the CBI's retail sales balance falling to -54 in June. The record l
Hungary Central Bank Sees No Inflation Threat From Ending Food Price Caps, Cuts Rate to 6%
The National Bank of Hungary says ending basic-food price controls won't meaningfully boost inflation, as it cuts its base rate to 6%. A str
Czech Central Bank Hikes Rates by Quarter Point to Tame Sticky Services Inflation and Rapid Credit Growth
The Czech National Bank raised its key interest rate by a quarter point on June 18, with minutes showing a 6-1 vote. Policymakers cited stic
Oil Slips to February Low as Strait of Hormuz Tanker Traffic Resumes
Brent crude dropped to its lowest since late February as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz returned close to normal levels. The fu
German Consumer Mood Edges Up but Spending Remains Weak
Germany's consumer climate index inched up to -29.2 for July from -29.7 in June, but willingness to buy stayed deeply negative at -13.4. The
South Africa's May PPI Data Arrives Amid Global Rate Jitters and AI Rally
South Africa's May PPI data is due, with markets balancing an AI-driven chip rally in Asia against fresh US rate hike expectations. A hotter