By Priya Raman
Economist by training. Covers central banks, inflation, jobs data and the policy decisions that shape the cycle.
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
SoftBank Eyes TEPCO Stake to Secure Power for AI Data Centers
SoftBank is proposing to take over Tokyo Electric Power Co. to secure reliable electricity for its AI data center builds. The move underscor
Australia's Job Vacancies Fall for First Time Since August 2025, Signaling Cooling Labor Market
Australia's job vacancies dropped 2.1% to 329,500 in the three months to May, the first decline since August 2025. The biggest fall came in
Australia's Hot Jobs Data Revives Rate Hike Fears, ASX 200 Dips
Australia's stronger-than-expected May jobs data and RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser's hawkish comments have revived the prospect of furth
Australian Household Spending Rebounds in May Led by Services and Travel
Australian household spending rose 1.3% in May to AU$80.64 billion, led by services such as air travel and dining out. The gains were broad
Australia's Jobless Rate Dips to 4.4% But Hidden Slack Grows as Hours Fall
Australia's unemployment rate ticked down to 4.4% in May as employers added 40,300 jobs. But rising underemployment and a drop in total hour
Oil Prices Slide as Tankers Clear Strait of Hormuz, US Authorizes Iranian Sales
Oil prices dropped sharply as tankers cleared the Strait of Hormuz and the US authorized some Iranian oil sales. Brent crude fell 4.3% to $7
El Niño Threatens Brazil's Inflation Outlook as Central Bank Cuts Rates
A Central Bank of Brazil survey finds El Niño could add 30-40 basis points to inflation in 2026 and 2027, with much of the impact not yet in
Strathmore Plus Uranium Returns to Wyoming's Beaver Rim for Five-Hole Drill Test
Strathmore Plus Uranium is heading back to Wyoming's Beaver Rim for a late-July drill program: five exploration holes totaling 5,000 feet at
US Consumer Spending Holds Up as PCE Inflation Ticks Higher in May
New data due Thursday is expected to show Americans kept spending in May, even as the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, PCE, heated up. That
Bank of Canada Holds Rate at 2.25% as Energy Inflation and Trade Risks Loom
The Bank of Canada held its key rate at 2.25% on June 10, but minutes show policymakers balancing weak growth against energy-led inflation a
First-Time Home Buyers Stay on Sidelines as Affordability Gap Widens in Canada
Canada's first-time home buyers remain sidelined as affordability sits roughly 20% below its long-term average. Rosenberg Research warns tha