Economy
Central banks, inflation, jobs and growth, and the policy decisions that shape the cycle.
IMF Warns Oil Shock Could Stall New Zealand's Recovery, Inflation to Near 4%
The IMF expects New Zealand's economy to shrink in Q2 2026 due to an oil-price shock from the Middle East conflict. Inflation may briefly hi
US Consumer Confidence Edges Up in June as Cheaper Gas Eases Inflation Fears
US consumer confidence ticked higher in June as falling gas prices helped ease inflation worries. The Conference Board's index rose to 91.2,
Japanese Yen Plunges to 1986 Low as Rate Gap, Debt, and Oil Squeeze Currency
The Japanese yen has fallen to its lowest level against the US dollar since 1986. A wide interest-rate gap, Japan's heavy debt burden, and h
US Job Openings Edge Up but Hiring Slips, Keeping Fed on Hold
US job openings ticked up to 7.594 million in May, but hiring fell and layoffs rose, painting a mixed picture of the labor market. The data
Canada's Economy Posts Strongest Monthly Growth in Nine Months, But Tariff Risks Loom
Canada's economy grew 0.5% in April, its best monthly performance in nine months, topping forecasts. Mining and oil and gas surged 2.9%, but
Bangladesh Holds Key Rate at 10% as Inflation Risks Persist from Middle East Tensions
Bangladesh Bank held its benchmark interest rate at 10%, maintaining tight policy as inflation cools slowly. The central bank warned that Mi
Saudi Unemployment Dips to 3.1% as FDI Inflows Cool, Consumer Confidence Holds
Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate fell to 3.1% in the three months to March 2026, but foreign direct investment inflows cooled to 23.1 billio
Strait of Hormuz Reopens, but UNCTAD Warns Food Costs May Stay High for Vulnerable Economies
The Strait of Hormuz is open again, and oil prices have fallen. But UNCTAD warns that supply chain disruptions and high fuel and fertilizer
Sri Lanka Inflation Accelerates in Colombo, Pressuring Central Bank
Sri Lanka's inflation in Colombo accelerated to 6.8% in June, driven by a sharp rise in food prices. The central bank's 5% target remains un
India's Rupee Posts First Quarterly Gain Since March 2025 on Cheaper Oil and Dollar Inflows
India's rupee notched its first quarterly gain since March 2025, rising about 0.2% in the quarter ended June 30. Cheaper oil and policy meas
Malaysia's KLCI Dips 0.11% Despite Faster Money Supply Growth in May
The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI closed 0.11% lower on Tuesday, while Bank Negara Malaysia reported M3 money supply rose 5.8% year over year in
German Inflation Cools in June as State Data Points to Easing Price Pressures
Early June data from four major German states suggests inflation is cooling, with Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Wuerttemberg, and L