By Priya Raman
Economist by training. Covers central banks, inflation, jobs data and the policy decisions that shape the cycle.
Taiwan Holds Rates at 2% as AI Boom Fuels Growth Forecast
Taiwan's central bank held its benchmark rate at 2% as AI-driven demand powers the economy. It lifted its 2026 growth forecast to 11.48% and
Switzerland raises 2026 growth forecast after strong Q2
Switzerland's economics secretariat now expects 1.7% GDP growth in 2026, up from a previous forecast, after an exceptionally strong second q
Oil slips as Saudi ship-to-ship transfers ease supply fears
Oil prices slipped after reports that Saudi Arabia is using ship-to-ship transfers off Oman's Sohar port to send extra crude to Asian refine
Axis Bank sees rupee sliding to 97 per dollar by year-end
Axis Bank expects the rupee to fall further, targeting 97 per dollar by year-end. Higher oil prices and weaker AI-driven productivity gains
Italy's Road Tax Repeal Costs €2B as Meloni Rules Out Early Vote
Italy's government has confirmed it will repeal road tax for 14.5 million cars and motorcycles from next year, a move priced at over €2 bill
New Zealand job ads edge higher in August as AI skills demand surges
New Zealand's job market showed modest gains in August, with Seek reporting a 0.6% monthly rise in job ads and a 9.7% annual increase. AI sk
IMF warns RBA may need more rate hikes as inflation stays sticky
The IMF warns the Reserve Bank of Australia may need to hike rates again as inflation stays sticky and energy prices pose risks. Markets now
New Zealand GDP grows 0.2% in June quarter, beating forecasts
New Zealand's GDP rose 0.2% in the June quarter, beating both market and central bank forecasts. Construction led gains, while transport dra
Bank of Canada holds rates at 2.25% but flags multiple hikes ahead
The Bank of Canada kept its policy rate at 2.25% but minutes reveal officials are prepared to hike multiple times if energy and trade costs
US shoppers kept spending in August even as mortgage rates climbed
US retail sales rose 1.2% in August, beating forecasts, even as higher mortgage rates cooled housing demand. The strong spending data sugges
Canada's factory revival plan hits a weak manufacturing base
Canada wants to rebuild its manufacturing sector, but National Bank of Canada warns the starting point is weak. Manufacturing is only 8% of
Nippon Steel's $1B Slovak furnace targets green steel by 2030
Nippon Steel is investing $1.04 billion in an electric arc furnace in Slovakia, with €350 million in subsidies, to produce lower-carbon stee