Economy
Central banks, inflation, jobs and growth, and the policy decisions that shape the cycle.
South African Inflation Expectations Jump After Oil Shock, Pressuring SARB
A South African Reserve Bank survey found inflation expectations jumped in Q2 2026 after an oil shock, with the average forecast for this ye
Japan Upgrades Economic View as AI Chip Demand Boosts Exports, Spending
Japan's government upgraded its economic assessment in June, citing AI-driven demand for chip exports and a pickup in consumer spending. How
UK Economy Grew 0.6% in Q1 2026, but Households Felt the Squeeze as Incomes Fell
Britain's economy expanded 0.6% in the first quarter of 2026, driven by services. But real disposable income per head fell 0.8%, and the sav
Japan's Factory Output Drops 1.7% as Yen Nears 162, Complicating BOJ Rate Path
Japan's factory output slipped 1.7% in May from a year earlier, just as the Bank of Japan considers further rate hikes. The yen's slide to 1
Nearly Half of Australian Firms Report Higher Costs After 71% Fuel Price Surge
Australian Bureau of Statistics data reveals 46% of firms reported higher operating expenses after fuel prices surged 71%. The cost squeeze
China's Central Bank Doubles Overnight Cash Injections to Ease Month-End Funding Squeeze
China's central bank doubled its short-term cash support, offering 600 billion yuan ($88.3 billion) in overnight reverse repos to help banks
RBA Holds Rates at 4.35% But Warns Inflation Fight Not Over
The Reserve Bank of Australia held its cash rate at 4.35% in June, but meeting minutes reveal a hawkish tone. Policymakers warned that persi
New Zealand Business Confidence Surges in June Despite Sluggish Activity
New Zealand firms turned more optimistic in June, with ANZ's business confidence index surging 27 points to 37. However, past activity measu
Japan PM Takaichi Appoints Dovish Ayano Sato to BOJ Board Ahead of July Rate Decision
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has appointed Ayano Sato, a reflation-leaning economist, to the Bank of Japan's board. The move adds a
China's Services Sector Edges Back Into Growth in June, PMI Hits 50.2
China's official non-manufacturing PMI rose to 50.2 in June, barely above the 50 threshold that separates growth from contraction. Services
China's Factory Activity Edges Back Into Growth in June as New Orders Rebound
China's factory sector returned to growth in June, with the official manufacturing PMI ticking up to 50.3. New orders drove the improvement,
Japan's Jobless Rate Steady at 2.5% But Hiring Signals Cool, Complicating BOJ's Next Move
Japan's unemployment rate remained at 2.5% in May, but forward-looking indicators softened. The jobs-to-applications ratio dipped and new jo