Economy

Fed Holds Rates at 3.5%–3.75% as Dissents, Trump Pressure Test Central Bank Independence

The Fed paused rate cuts in a 10-2 vote, citing resilient growth and elevated inflation, as Trump pressure and legal fights sharpen scrutiny of its independence.

#federalreserve, #interestrates, #inflation, #centralbank, #trump

Australia Inflation Surprise Revives Rate-Hike Bets, Lifts Aussie Dollar

Inflation rose to 3.8% in December, above forecasts, pushing markets to price a possible RBA rate hike in February and sending the Australian dollar higher.

#australia, #inflation, #rba, #interestrates, #audusd

ECB Quietly Rewrites Rules for Crisis Liquidity, Collateral and Climate Risk

New ECB guidelines reshape who can borrow in a resolution, tighten post-pandemic collateral rules, add climate haircuts and admit DLT-linked securities.

#ecb, #eurozone, #banking, #collateral, #climaterisk

Japan’s Bond Yields Hit 25-Year High as BOJ Signals Caution and PM Calls Snap Election

Japan’s 10-year bond yield hits a 25-year high as the BOJ warns of rapid moves and new PM Sanae Takaichi seeks a mandate for tax cuts.

#japan, #bonds, #bankofjapan, #interestrates, #election

Japan Bond Yields Hit 25-Year High as BOJ Warns on Volatility and PM Takaichi Calls Snap Election

Japan’s 10-year yield nears 2.3% as the BOJ flags rapid moves while PM Takaichi seeks a Feb. 8 mandate for tax cuts and spending.

#japan, #boj, #bonds, #interestrates, #election

U.S. GDP Surges at 4.4% Pace as Hiring Slows, Raising Fears of a ‘Jobless Boom’

Third-quarter growth was revised up to 4.4% and profits rebounded, but 2025 job gains slowed sharply and long-term unemployment rose.

#gdp, #jobs, #federalreserve, #inflation, #automation

China Reports 5% Growth in 2025, Meeting Target as Exports Mask Weak Consumption and Property Slump

China says GDP grew 5% in 2025, meeting its goal, but growth leaned on exports as consumption stayed weak, property sank and surplus hit records.

#china, #gdp, #exports, #property, #trade

Powell Says Subpoena Threat Targets Fed Independence; Markets Jolt as Gold Hits Record

Fed Chair Jerome Powell says a DOJ probe over a $2.5B HQ renovation is a pretext to pressure rate cuts, shaking markets and the dollar.

#federalreserve, #interestrates, #dollar, #gold, #justicedepartment

IMF lifts global growth outlook as AI boom offsets trade and debt risks

IMF nudges up 2026 global growth forecast to 3.3%, citing AI-led investment, but warns of tariff uncertainty, market bubbles and record debt.

#imf, #globaleconomy, #artificialintelligence, #trade, #debt

China Pledges Over 1 Trillion Yuan in Cheap Credit, Cuts Rates on Targeted Lending Tools

PBOC cuts rates on structural lending tools and expands quotas, adding a 1 trillion yuan line for private firms while holding benchmark policy rates steady.

#china, #pboc, #interestrates, #credit, #yuan

China Posts Record $1.2 Trillion Trade Surplus in 2025 as Exports Surge and Imports Stall

China reported a record $1.19 trillion goods trade surplus in 2025, driven by booming EV and solar exports as weak domestic demand kept imports flat.

#china, #trade, #exports, #evs, #imf

December CPI Seen as First ‘Clean’ Inflation Read Since Shutdown, With Fed Cuts at Stake

After a fall shutdown distorted official price data, economists expect December CPI to offer the first clear look at inflation—shaping 2026 Fed cuts.

#inflation, #cpi, #federalreserve, #interestrates, #bls

Powell Says DOJ Threatened Indictment as Fed-Renovation Probe Sparks Clash With White House

Fed Chair Jerome Powell says DOJ subpoenas and an indictment threat are political pressure on rate policy, roiling markets and raising alarms over Fed independence.

#federalreserve, #interestrates, #doj, #markets, #centralbank

OECD inflation slips below 4% as central banks weigh next moves on rates

Annual inflation across OECD economies fell to 3.9% in November, the first sub-4% reading in four years, but core pressures and energy costs keep caution high.

#inflation, #oecd, #centralbanks, #interestrates, #monetarypolicy