Economy
Central banks, inflation, jobs and growth, and the policy decisions that shape the cycle.
US job openings climb to 7.52 million in September as layoffs ease
US job openings jumped to 7.52 million in September while layoffs eased, pointing to a labor market that is holding steady without rapid hir
US consumer confidence ticks up in November but stays below optimism line
Americans felt slightly better about the economy in November, with RealClearMarkets' confidence index rising to 48.5 from 46.8. The six-mont
Hong Kong retail sales rise 6.4% in September as tourists return
Hong Kong retail sales rose 6.4% in September, helped by more visitors and Mid-Autumn Festival spending. But motor vehicle sales fell 34.7%,
Swiss inflation hits 1.5%, highest in nearly three years, as fuel costs rise
Swiss consumer prices rose 1.5% in October, the highest in nearly three years, as fuel costs climbed. Core inflation remained subdued at 0.5
Turkey's October inflation beats forecasts as clothing prices jump
Turkey's October inflation came in hotter than expected, driven by a sharp jump in clothing and footwear prices. Annual inflation held near
South Korea's inflation cools to 2.8% but still above target, keeping rate hike in view
South Korea's inflation cooled to 2.8% in October, but it's still above the central bank's 2% target. Markets expect one more rate hike to 3
RBA raises rates to 4.85% but split vote signals possible pause
The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its cash rate to 4.85%, the highest in 18 years, but three of nine board members voted to hold. Softer
RBA's 6-3 vote to lift rates to 4.85% signals more hikes may come
The Reserve Bank of Australia lifted its cash rate to 4.85% in a 6-3 vote, signaling more tightening could follow. It now expects inflation
RBA lifts inflation forecast to 4.5%, markets price peak cash rate near 4.85%
The RBA now sees inflation hitting 4.5% in Q4, up from 3.9%, and markets expect the cash rate to peak near 4.85%. The bank also raised its e
NZ household arrears ease but stress spreads to loans, firms
New Zealand's household arrears improved in October, with mortgage arrears at their lowest since 2022. But personal loan hardship and busine
El Niño's delayed punch: Why 2027 could be the real inflation risk
El Niño is back, and a new San Francisco Fed paper says it could make US inflation harder to shake, with a potential bump as large as 1 perc
Canada's big deficit leaves little room for tax reform, KPMG says
KPMG forecasts a CA$65 billion federal deficit in 2026-27, shrinking only slightly the next year. That leaves little room for a sweeping tax