Economy
Central banks, inflation, jobs and growth, and the policy decisions that shape the cycle.
Small business optimism climbs to 99.8 as hiring plans jump
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 99.8 in July from 97.4 in June, powered by a big jump in hiring plans. Uncertainty stayed hig
UK's ONS delays new jobs survey handover to November 2027
The UK's statistics agency says it won't switch to its new Transformed Labour Force Survey until November 2027 at the earliest. That means t
Bank of Korea signals high odds of another rate hike as inflation shifts
A top Bank of Korea official says another rate hike is highly likely unless an 'extraordinary shock' hits. With inflation becoming more dema
RBA holds rates at 4.35%, sees inflation cooling by late 2025
The Reserve Bank of Australia held its cash rate at 4.35% and now sees inflation returning to its 2%-3% target in the second half of next ye
Indonesia retail sales slide for third month, BI sees July rebound
Indonesia's retail sales fell 3% year on year in June, extending a three-month slide. Bank Indonesia expects a return to growth in July.
Singapore raises 2026 growth forecast to 4.5%-5.5% on AI boom
Singapore's economy grew 5.9% year-on-year in Q2, prompting officials to raise the full-year forecast to 4.5%-5.5%. The upgrade is powered b
Westpac: New Zealand card spending rose 2% per person in July
Westpac says New Zealand card spending rose 2% per person in July, helped by World Cup outings and cheaper fuel. But high electricity prices
Asia's week opens with inflation data and BoJ rate hike signals
China's July consumer prices rose just 0.5%, and producer prices slowed, signaling soft demand. Meanwhile, Bank of Japan minutes suggest mor
Japan's Eco Watchers Index Improves in July but Stays Below Optimism Threshold
Japan's Eco Watchers Survey improved in July, with the current conditions index rising to 45.7, above expectations but still below the 50 th
Rupee set to open firmer as weak US jobs data cools Fed hike bets
The rupee is likely to open firmer after US payrolls fell in July, lowering odds of a September Fed hike. RBI intervention continues to cush
China's factory-gate inflation cools again in July, signaling soft demand
China's producer prices rose 3.5% in July, below forecasts and down from June's 4.1%. The slowdown points to soft domestic demand and a two-
US inflation data due this week as Fed watches its preferred gauge
US inflation data for July is the big story this week, with consumer prices expected to cool slightly. But the Federal Reserve is watching a