Economic Report

January’s US retail sales figures revealed a surprising 0.9% month-over-month decline, the sharpest drop in nearly two years. This figure initially sparked concerns about the economy’s health. However, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced picture, suggesting that the drop may not signal a significant shift in consumer spending. Several …

U.S. stock index futures hovered near flat levels on Friday as investors digested hot inflation data, corporate earnings reports, and uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policies. Futures Movement as of 05:15 ET (10:15 GMT): Dow Jones Futures ↓ 100 points (-0.2%) S&P 500 Futures ↓ 2 points (-0.1%) Nasdaq 100 Futures …

The US dollar’s recent performance presents a puzzle. Despite robust Producer Price Index (PPI) data and a resilient labour market, the dollar has weakened, underscoring the powerful influence of geopolitical events and shifting market sentiment. This dynamic suggests that traditional economic indicators may, at times, take a backseat to broader …

The signing of a reciprocal tariff order has injected further uncertainty into global trade. The potential for escalating trade tensions increases investor nervousness, prompting a flight to safe-haven assets. Gold prices have surged, approaching record highs, driven by a confluence of factors including US dollar weakness, trade anxieties, and robust …

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated that President Trump’s calls for lower interest rates won’t change the central bank’s rate decisions. Powell stated that the Fed will continue to make decisions based on the economy’s situation, despite Trump’s social media comments suggesting lower interest rates. The Fed has cut its …

U.S. producer prices increased more than expected in January, reinforcing concerns that inflation is reaccelerating and pushing back expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts to the second half of 2025. According to Thursday’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report: The Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand rose 0.4% …

U.S. stock index futures remained largely unchanged on Thursday as investors assessed potential peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, alongside upcoming inflation data and corporate earnings reports. As of 10:10 GMT: Dow Jones Futures fell 10 points (-0.1%) S&P 500 Futures dropped 1 point (-0.1%) Nasdaq 100 Futures edged up …

The U.S. dollar weakened on Thursday, while the euro gained, as optimism grew over a potential resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict following discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders of both nations. As of 09:25 GMT, the Dollar Index, which measures the greenback’s performance against a basket of …

US companies have delivered a robust earnings season, exceeding expectations and demonstrating significant growth. However, this positive performance has been overshadowed by broader economic concerns, leaving investors hesitant and stock prices subdued. This disconnect between strong earnings and market reaction reveals a complex interplay of factors influencing investor sentiment.Strong Earnings, …

Expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts have taken a significant hit following the release of a hotter-than-anticipated inflation report for January and subsequent comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Market predictions have undergone a dramatic shift, now suggesting a rate cut is highly unlikely before September of this year, …