Economy

U.S. debt tops $40 trillion under Trump amid rising borrowing costs
National debt surpasses $40 trillion in Trump's second term as tax cuts and spending outpace revenue growth, with yields on U.S. bonds near two-decade highs.

Bank of Canada poised to hold rates as growth, trade risks collide
Strong second-quarter expansion and 3% inflation pressure the central bank to maintain its 2.25% policy rate, despite escalating U.S. tariffs and retaliatory measures.

Brazil's central bank weighs measures to curb rising household debt
Authorities examine limits on credit card and unsecured loan exposure before imposing a debt-to-income ceiling amid record household debt-service commitments.

Swiss couples face trade-offs in delaying state pension claims
Delaying Swiss AHV pension claims can boost payouts by up to 31.5%, but married couples face unique constraints due to the 150% cap on combined benefits.

Swiss Federal Council appoints Christoph Ammann as SNB Bank Council President
Ammann will succeed Barbara Janom Steiner in May 2027; Marc Mächler named Vice President. Appointments follow statutory term limits.

Citrini Research forecasts bond rally as U.S. shifts debt strategy
Firm sees 30-year Treasuries outperforming amid coordinated Treasury-Fed policy to reduce long-dated supply. Recommendation targets narrowing yield gap by November.

ECB's Kocher says European economy gaining momentum
European Central Bank council member Martin Kocher flags resilience and improving growth in the euro area, while warning inflation remains a concern ahead of September policy decisions.

Brazil weighs lending curbs as household debt ratio hits record 26.6%
Central bank considers lender-side restrictions to curb rising consumer leverage after household debt service-to-income ratio climbs to highest level in June. IMF urges stricter rules.

German economy seen on cusp of growth rebound through 2028
DIW and Bundesbank raise 2026 GDP forecasts to 1.2% and 1.0% respectively, citing stronger exports and reduced energy shock impact. Fragile recovery hinges on public spending as private investment lags.

China regrets G20 finance meeting failed to issue joint statement
Spokesperson cites divergent views on key issues as reason for absence of consensus during Wednesday's G20 finance leaders' meeting.

Fed’s Williams: Rising yields reflect strong economy, not inflation pressure
New York Fed chief attributes higher bond yields to robust growth and AI investment rather than price pressures, as tariffs and geopolitics keep inflation elevated.

Swiss banks face CHF 12-24 bln mortgage funding gap under Basel III
New Basel III rules could leave a CHF 12-24 billion annual financing shortfall for Swiss real estate and development projects, while owner-occupied housing benefits from lower capital requirements.

ECB policymaker signals readiness for further rate hikes if inflation rises
ECB Governing Council member Gabriel Makhlouf warns the central bank must remain prepared to tighten policy further amid inflation risks. Upcoming decision next week seen as data-dependent.

Fed’s Williams says U.S. bond yield rise reflects strong economy
New York Fed chief cites AI and data center investment as drivers of higher long-term Treasury yields, dismisses inflation concerns. Labor market remains stable, he adds.

BofA trims UK 2027 growth forecast on energy price surge
Brokerage lowers 2027 GDP outlook to 1.2% as higher oil and gas costs weigh on outlook; inflation forecasts raised across 2026-27.

U.S. private payrolls rise 38,000 in September, missing forecasts
ADP report shows smallest gain in six months as hiring slows below expectations of 47,000. Economists eye government payroll data for broader labor market trends.

US private payrolls rise 38,000 in August, ADP report shows
Private employment growth slowed last month, missing economists' forecasts as the labor market shows signs of cooling. The report precedes Friday's official jobs data from the BLS.

China denies deliberate pursuit of trade surplus
The country’s central bank governor stated that China does not aim to maintain a trade surplus.

Brazil central bank to tighten household credit risk rules
Measures target high-cost loans as household debt risks rise; central bank cites need for sustainable credit provision and capital accumulation.

Fed’s Hammack expects inflation near 3% by year-end, mid-2s in 2027
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Beth Hammack projects inflation will remain above target through 2026 before easing toward the mid-2% range in 2027. She reiterates the case for further rate hikes to curb price pressures.

Fed officials warn inflation remains sticky ahead of Jackson Hole meeting
Kansas City and Chicago Fed presidents flag persistent price pressures as the annual symposium convenes in Wyoming. Upcoming policy decision looms amid five-year stretch above target.

Fed officials Hammack, Schmid call for higher rates amid inflation concerns
Cleveland Fed's Hammack and Kansas City Fed's Schmid urge rate hikes, citing persistent inflation and lack of policy restraint. Second Fed call for hikes in a single day.

BofA cuts UK 2027 growth forecast on energy shock
Bank of America reduces UK growth outlook for 2027 to 1.2% due to higher energy prices and pre-Budget uncertainty, while lifting 2026 estimate to 1.2%.

ECB’s hawkish stance lifts real rates, UBS says, as bond yields rise
UBS argues the ECB’s shift toward tighter policy since March is driving real rate expectations higher, with limited impact on euro-area term premia. The bank sees scope for further tightening into 2027.

JPMorgan sets 30K-70K jobs range as ideal for Fed meeting
Bank says nonfarm payrolls in the 30,000 to 70,000 range would align with a 'goldilocks' scenario ahead of the Federal Reserve's September 16 policy meeting.

