Economic Report

Most major currencies traded in tight ranges on Friday amid thin year-end market conditions, while the U.S. dollar hovered near 12-week lows as investors weighed softer U.S. rate expectations and a fresh batch of Japanese economic data. Liquidity remained light across Asian and European FX sessions, with many market participants …

Oil prices inched higher on Friday, supported by renewed geopolitical tensions and targeted U.S. policy moves that heightened concerns over potential supply disruptions, even as the broader market remains on track for its steepest annual decline in four years. Brent crude futures rose 0.1% to $62.29 a barrel by 06:06 …

Most Asian equity markets advanced in thin year-end trading on Friday, with Japan’s TOPIX index surging to a record high as investors assessed a fresh batch of economic data from Tokyo. Activity across the region remained subdued, with several major markets — including Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong — …

The US dollar heads into 2026 carrying visible scars from the past year. After a prolonged slide through 2025, the narrative around the greenback has shifted from effortless strength to cautious reassessment. This is not a collapse story. It is a stress test—one shaped by softer growth, narrowing policy advantages, …

Nvidia’s decision to commit roughly $20 billion in cash to secure Groq’s inference technology and talent marks more than its largest deal ever. It signals a decisive bet on where artificial intelligence is heading next—and raises uncomfortable questions about competition, regulation, and concentration of power in the data-center economy.From Training …

U.S. Markets Closed for Christmas, But the Buzz Continues: On December 25, 2025, U.S. markets are taking a holiday break, with both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq closed for Christmas Day. While trading is paused, Wall Street is far from quiet. Investors are reflecting on record-setting closes from …

In 2025, the Federal Reserve found itself walking a delicate tightrope between political pressures and its mandate to stabilize the U.S. economy. Facing repeated threats from former President Donald Trump, the central bank adopted a low-profile, strategic approach, quietly absorbing challenges while maintaining its core independence.A Quiet Monetary Strategy in …

In a year marked by geopolitical strain and economic uncertainty, the Russian ruble delivered a striking performance. Between January 1 and December 24, 2025, the currency gained nearly 30% against the U.S. dollar, climbing from 113.73 to 78.99 per dollar. It was one of the ruble’s strongest annual showings in …

Reappointments and stability may finally let the chair leave gracefully: After months of intense political pressure, the Federal Reserve may have quietly reassured its chair that stepping down could be a smooth, safe transition. The central bank’s recent moves signal stability and continuity, potentially allowing Jerome Powell to exit the …

In the quiet stretch of the year-end holidays, when markets typically drift on thin volumes and cautious sentiment, an unexpected move jolted Nike back into the spotlight. Tim Cook, the chief executive of Apple and a long-standing board member at Nike, stepped in with a personal investment worth nearly $3 …