Bank of Japan board members backed continued rate rises and estimated a neutral rate near 2%, in the June 24 summary of opinions released after the bank’s historic 1% decision.
Category: Economy
Posted inEconomy
US economy expanded 2.1% in Q1 2026 but corporate confidence warns of a rougher second half
The Bureau of Economic Analysis confirmed 2.1% annualised GDP growth in the first quarter of 2026 on June 25, a rebound from Q4’s 0.5%, even as CEO surveys signal gathering headwinds ahead.
Posted inEconomy
US May PCE hits 4.1%, highest since April 2023, as core inflation accelerates
The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge rose 4.1% year-on-year in May 2026, the fastest pace in over three years, while core PCE climbed to 3.4% — its highest since late 2023.
Posted inEconomy
US and India near a trade deal with a July 24 tariff deadline forcing pace
USTR Jamieson Greer completed a June 22-24 New Delhi visit with both sides saying a trade deal is imminent before the July 24 tariff deadline on Indian goods.
Posted inEconomy
Fed holds rates and removes forward guidance in Warsh’s hawkish debut
At his first FOMC meeting on June 17, Kevin Warsh held rates at 3.5–3.75% and stripped forward guidance, with nine of 18 officials now projecting at least one rate hike in 2026.
Posted inEconomy
US Treasury issues 60-day Iran oil licence as Brent falls 3.5% and Hormuz traffic recovers
Washington granted Iran a 60-day oil export waiver on June 22, pushing Brent crude below $78 as Strait of Hormuz traffic climbed back toward pre-war levels.
Posted inEconomy
Euro bond issuance hits record $1.1 trillion as dollar’s global role ebbs
Euro-denominated bond issuance hit a record $1.1 trillion in 2025, up 30%, and the euro now leads the dollar in green bonds, the ECB’s June 2026 report shows.
Posted inEconomy
Bank of England holds at 3.75% as two MPC members push for a hike
The Bank of England’s MPC voted 7–2 to hold rates at 3.75% on 18 June, with two dissenters backing an immediate hike to 4% as UK inflation stays at 2.8%, nearly a full point above target.
Posted inEconomy
A second US court kills Trump’s 10% tariff, leaving trade policy in legal limbo
A US trade court ruled Trump’s 10% global import surcharge unlawful in May, the second major judicial blow to the administration’s tariff strategy in 2026, with the levy now set to expire in July.
Posted inEconomy
UK unemployment climbs to 4.9% as payrolled jobs fall by 138,000
ONS data from June 18 shows UK unemployment at 4.9% for the latest quarter, with payrolled employment down 138,000 and real wages barely growing.