Economy
China set to hold loan prime rates steady in August amid weak economy
All 25 surveyed banks expect the one-year and five-year loan prime rates to remain at 3.00% and 3.50%, respectively, as policymakers prioritize fiscal measures over monetary easing.
RBA signals potential rate hike as inflation risks rise
Reserve Bank of Australia holds rates steady but warns of further tightening if upside inflation risks materialize, citing Middle East tensions and AI-driven demand.
Euro zone bond yields surge to two-decade highs amid debt concerns
German 10-year yield hits 15-year peak as France and Italy follow; ECB tightening bets rise to 45 bps. Oil climbs above $92 a barrel on geopolitical risks.
UK to auction £4bn of 2033 gilts in August 2026
The UK Debt Management Office plans to sell £4 billion of 4.125% Treasury gilts maturing in March 2033, with bidding open via the Bloomberg system next month.
Dollar, euro lose nearly half their purchasing power since 2000
U.S. dollar and euro purchasing power halved over 25 years, while Swiss franc held value better amid divergent central bank policies. Inflation trends and wage dynamics compared.
Chile’s GDP flat in Q2, copper drags as mining sector weighs
Chile’s economy stagnated in the second quarter, missing forecasts for a 0.3% rebound as copper output fell. Annual GDP contracted 0.2%, reversing expectations for modest growth.
Brazil's fiscal reforms face 'painful final mile', says minister
Brazil's economy chief warns of difficult negotiations ahead as fiscal reforms near completion, citing resistance to spending cuts and tax adjustments.
Brazil's Q2 GDP growth slows to 0.6%, central bank index shows
Modest expansion follows 1.4% growth in Q1 as Brazil's economy shows signs of cooling. Central bank data highlights mixed sectoral performance.
Swiss National Bank names Ulrich Bindseil to lead Gerzensee center
Martin Brown steps down as director of the SNB's Gerzensee study center after five years, with Ulrich Bindseil set to take over in January 2027.
Goldman Sachs Forecasts Continued Weakness in China Retail Sales Growth
Goldman Sachs projects that retail sales growth in China will remain subdued moving forward.
ECB's Lane Discusses Defence Spending and Euro Area Economy
European Central Bank official Philip R. Lane addresses the economic implications of rising defence spending in the euro area.
Malaysia's July CPI rises 1.8% y/y, below expectations
Consumer prices in Malaysia increased 1.8% year-on-year in July, undershooting forecasts of 2.0% amid softening food and transport costs.
U.S. retail sales fall as consumer demand weakens
Monthly retail sales declined 0.6% in August, missing forecasts and signaling broader economic strain. Core sales also dipped, raising recession concerns.
Citi expects Fed to hold rates steady in September after inflation data
Analysts at Citi cite recent inflation readings as key factor in likely policy pause next month.
Slovakia’s industry faces de-industrialization risk, central bank warns
National Bank of Slovakia highlights structural challenges threatening the country’s manufacturing sector amid global competition and energy costs.
China bank loans contract in July for second time in 2026
Loan demand weakens as new yuan loans fall to 810 billion yuan, underscoring persistent economic headwinds.
Swiss GDP grows 1.5% in Q2 2026, data shows
Switzerland's economy expanded at a faster-than-expected pace in the second quarter, driven by domestic demand and services sector growth.
ECB survey finds minimal crypto adoption by euro area merchants
Less than 0.2% of euro area online merchants accept cryptocurrency payments, with physical POS adoption below 1%, according to an ECB survey. Mobile payments continue to gain share.
U.S. 30-year bond yields hit 25-year high as inflation concerns weigh
Long-term borrowing costs surge to levels last seen in 2001 amid persistent inflation uncertainty and elevated government debt supply. Treasury auctions remain well-covered despite rising yields.
Fitch affirms U.S. sovereign credit rating at AA+ with stable outlook
Rating agency Fitch maintains the U.S. government's top-tier credit rating, citing fiscal resilience despite elevated debt levels and political uncertainty.
Peru’s central bank holds rates steady, sees no need for hikes
The Peruvian central bank maintained its benchmark rate at 6.25% as inflation remains within target and growth outlook stabilizes.
U.S. PPI flat, misses expectations in latest data
Producer prices unchanged in May as forecasted growth fails to materialize, signaling persistent disinflationary pressures.
Uganda’s central bank keeps benchmark rate at 9.75% for eighth straight meeting
The Bank of Uganda maintained its key lending rate unchanged as inflation pressures eased slightly but remained above target, citing risks from global and domestic factors.
U.S. inflation proves stickier than July CPI suggests, analysts warn
Underlying price pressures remain elevated despite a mild July CPI reading, raising concerns over the Federal Reserve's policy path. Bitcoin's volatility reflects shifting market expectations.
ECB: Cash still dominates payments in euro area
Survey finds physical currency remains the most widely used payment method despite digital shift, with 59% of transactions in 2025.