The ISM’s July manufacturing index rose to 55.6%, a four-year high, as factory employment expanded for the first time in nearly three years.
Category: Economy
Posted inEconomy
China’s Factory and Services Activity Both Contract in July for First Time This Year
China’s manufacturing PMI fell to 49.2 in July and non-manufacturing to 49.0, the first month this year that both measures have contracted simultaneously.
Posted inEconomy
Bank of England Holds at 3.75% as Hawkish Dissent Grows to Three MPC Members
The Bank of England kept its benchmark rate at 3.75% on July 30, but a surprise 6-3 vote split — with three MPC members pushing for a hike to 4% — signalled the committee is leaning hawkish.
Posted inEconomy
Tokyo Inflation Quickens a Second Month, Keeping the BOJ on Track for Another Hike
Tokyo’s core consumer prices rose 2.4% year-on-year in August, a second consecutive monthly acceleration driven by utility subsidy phase-outs and surging rice prices, reinforcing expectations for a BOJ rate hike.
Posted inEconomy
US Economy Grew 1.5% in Q2, Missing Forecasts as Government Spending Fell
US real GDP grew at a 1.5% annualised rate in the second quarter of 2026, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported on July 30, missing the 2.1% consensus forecast and slowing from Q1’s matching pace, though private domestic demand accelerated sharply.
Posted inEconomy
Fed Holds Rates Steady as Three Officials Dissent for First Time Since 2016
The Federal Reserve voted 9-3 to keep rates at 3.5–3.75% for a fifth straight meeting, with three regional presidents voting to hike in the first such triple dissent since 2016.
Posted inEconomy
US Consumer Confidence Falls a Third Month to 90.8 as Job Sentiment Cools
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell to 90.8 in July, a third straight monthly drop, as job optimism hit its lowest point since 2021.
Posted inEconomy
Bank of Japan Holds at 1% and Upgrades Growth Forecast as Yen Slides to 40-Year Low
Japan’s central bank held its policy rate at 1% on July 27, upgraded its GDP forecast to 0.8% for fiscal 2026, and signalled further tightening ahead as the yen neared a 40-year low.
Posted inEconomy
UK Inflation Falls to 2.6% in June as Diesel and Food Prices Cool
UK consumer price inflation eased to 2.6% in June 2026, its lowest reading since March 2025, driven by falling diesel pump prices and the softest food inflation since August 2024, though services costs held firm at 3.6%.
Posted inEconomy
IMF Holds 2026 Global Growth at 3% While Lifting Inflation Forecast to 4.7%
The IMF’s July 2026 update keeps global growth unchanged at 3% but raises its inflation forecast 0.3 points to 4.7%, citing an energy shock stalling the disinflation trend.