Economy & Central Bank News — page 21
Original FXMARE economy news briefs — central-bank decisions, inflation, jobs data and macro releases, newest first. 613 articles.
- US retail sales rise 0.5% in April as consumers keep spending despite war-driven inflation
US retail sales rose 0.5% in April, a third straight gain, as consumers kept spending through war-driven inflation — though much of the increase reflected higher gasoline prices and one-off tax refunds, with real wages negative and savings thinning.
- US producer prices jump 1.4% in April, the most since 2022, as energy costs surge
US producer prices rose 1.4% in April and 6% year-on-year — the most since 2022 — as the Iran-war energy shock pushed wholesale costs sharply higher and showed inflation broadening beyond fuel into services.
- Fed's preferred inflation gauge climbs to 3.8% in April as price pressures broaden
The Fed's preferred inflation gauge, the PCE price index, rose to 3.8% in April with core at 3.3%, confirming the energy-driven price surge was broadening — while flat incomes and a 2.6% saving rate underscored the squeeze on households.
- US adds 115,000 jobs in April as hiring cools but labor market stays resilient
US nonfarm payrolls rose 115,000 in April, down from March but above the ~55,000 expected, with unemployment steady at 4.3% and wage growth softening to 3.6% — a cooling but resilient labor market.
- US inflation jumps to 3.8% in April as Iran-war energy shock erodes wages
US headline CPI rose to 3.8% in April, the highest since May 2023, as the Iran-war energy shock lifted gasoline and groceries — and real wages fell for the first time in three years.
- RBA hikes to 4.35% in third straight rise as Iran war fuels Australian inflation
The RBA raised its cash rate to 4.35% on May 5, a third straight hike that reversed its 2025 cuts, as Governor Bullock warned the Iran-war fuel-price surge risked embedding higher inflation in the economy.
- US factory activity hits four-year high in May even as input prices stay elevated
The US ISM Manufacturing PMI rose to 54.0 in May, the highest since 2022, as new orders jumped to 56.8 — but the prices index stayed above 80, showing the Iran-war energy shock still squeezing factory costs.
- World Bank cuts 2026 global growth forecast to post-pandemic low of 2.5% on Iran war
The World Bank cut its 2026 global growth forecast to 2.5%, the weakest since the pandemic, blaming the Iran-war energy shock, and pledged up to $60bn for the hardest-hit developing economies.
- US economy adds 172,000 jobs in May, blowing past forecasts as labor market holds firm
US nonfarm payrolls rose 172,000 in May, far above the ~80,000 expected, with unemployment steady at 4.3% and wage growth cooling to 3.4% — a firm report that bolstered the case for the Fed to hold.
- Bank of Canada holds rate at 2.25% for fifth time, vows to curb energy-driven inflation
The Bank of Canada held its overnight rate at 2.25% on June 10 for a fifth straight meeting, balancing the Middle East energy shock against a weak economy while pledging not to let higher energy costs become persistent inflation.
- US inflation hits three-year high of 4.2% in May as Iran war drives energy costs
US headline CPI rose 4.2% year-on-year in May, the fastest since April 2023, as the Iran-war energy shock lifted gasoline 40.5% — though core inflation stayed comparatively contained at 2.9%.
- ECB raises rates for first time since 2023 as Middle East war stokes inflation
The ECB lifted its key rates by 25bp on June 11 — its first hike since 2023 — taking the deposit rate to 2.25% as the Middle East energy shock pushed euro area inflation to 3.2%.
- US consumer sentiment improves in June as inflation expectations ease
University of Michigan consumer sentiment rose in June and inflation expectations edged lower, though households still reported elevated price concerns.