U.S. producer prices rose at a slower-than-expected annualized rate in February, signaling cooling inflation pressures that could influence the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy stance amid economic uncertainty linked to Donald Trump’s trade policies. Key Producer Price Index (PPI) Data: Annual PPI Growth: 3.2% (vs. 3.3% expected), down from 3.7% in …
Read More »Powell’s Path: Steering Through Economic Uncertainty
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell struck a cautious tone on Friday, highlighting the challenges posed by policy uncertainty in shaping monetary policy. He pointed to the unpredictability surrounding the Trump Administration’s policies and their economic implications as a significant factor.Powell emphasized that while long-term inflation expectations remain stable and aligned …
Read More »U.S. Job Growth Provides Dovish Boost Despite Higher Unemployment
The U.S. economy added 151,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in February, a figure that was lower than the 159,000 forecast but marked an improvement from the revised January total of 125,000, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released on Friday. The unemployment rate edged up to 4.1%, slightly …
Read More »Weekly Market Recap: A Whirlwind of Data, Geopolitics
A complex interplay of economic data, geopolitical developments, and central bank pronouncements prevailed, resulting in shifts across various asset classes. From fluctuating Treasury yields and evolving sector leadership to the resurgence of European equities, the steady ascend of gold prices, and fresh sanctions impacting commodities, investors navigated a landscape rife …
Read More »Fed Official Flags Upside Inflation Risks, Warns of Stagflation Threat
St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem expressed concerns Thursday about the potential for persistent inflation and the risk of stagflation, posing a dual challenge to the US economy. He emphasized the need for confidence that inflation is headed back to the Fed’s 2% target before any further policy adjustments are …
Read More »Explainer: What the loss of Fed’s independence could mean
Trump as well as other Wall Street forces attempt to limit the Fed’s independence. Though it refrains from attempting to sway interest rate decisions, the White House wants more authority over Fed operations, including financial regulation. On February 12, Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell gave a testimony before the House …
Read More »Weekly market wrap: Dollar and gold drivers
US Dollar turned lower last week after the strong bad effect of Trump’s trade rhetoric faded to some extent. The currency also missed the opportunity to make use of the testimony of Fed’s chief Jerome Powell against the Senate. Recent inflation and spending data played a role in dollar weakness …
Read More »Economic Data Matters: Fed’s Hawkish Stance Poised To Remain In Place Till September 2025
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 …
Read More »Investors Still Tune In as Fed Chair Testifies Before US Lawmakers
Federal Reserve Chair testified before the US Senate on Tuesday, saying, “There is no need to hurry in changing the current monetary policy stance.”Key Quotes:Powell stated, “The economy is strong.”The Fed Chair affirmed that “labour market conditions are significantly improving.”Powell mentioned that inflation rates are becoming closer to the central …
Read More »Euro Slides Post-NFP Report as Dollar Strengthens, Tariff Threats Loom
The EUR/USD pair fell to near 1.0360 on Friday following the release of stronger-than-expected US Nonfarm Payroll (NFP) data for January. The US Dollar Index (DXY) rose to around 107.90 as a result. While job growth was lower than anticipated at 143,000 (compared to the expected 170,000 and the revised …
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