Economy

Federal Reserve Rate Hike Bets Ease as Markets Await Retail Earnings
Expectations for an imminent Federal Reserve interest rate hike are fading as investors prepare for upcoming major retail earnings reports.

German Bund Yields Hold Near Multi-Day Highs Amid Easing Rate Hike Fears
German government bond yields remained steady close to multi-day highs as concerns over further interest rate hikes subsided.

China's New Home Prices Continue to Fall in July
New home prices in China extended their downward trajectory through July, reflecting ongoing weakness in the country's property sector.

China Industrial Production Slows in July Amid Weak Domestic Demand
China's industrial production growth decelerated in July as soft domestic demand weighed on the broader economic recovery.

Trump Imposes Tariffs of Up to 100% on Imported Drones
The incoming administration has announced steep trade levies reaching up to 100% on foreign-manufactured unmanned aerial vehicles.

Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing Travels to Russia for Official Visit
Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing has departed for an official visit to Russia, according to state media reports.

China's Xi leads ceremony for Jiang Zemin's centenary
President Xi Jinping attends state event honoring former leader Jiang Zemin, underscoring political continuity amid economic challenges.

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.

U.S. retail sales unexpectedly decline in July
July retail sales fell 0.1% from June, missing forecasts, as higher prices and cautious consumer spending weighed on demand.

Morgan Stanley expects Fed to hold rates steady through 2024
U.S. inflation cooling supports a prolonged pause in monetary tightening, according to the bank's latest assessment.

Canada wholesale trade jumps 2.8% in June to highest since April 2024
Monthly increase led by motor vehicle and machinery sectors, signaling resilient domestic demand amid inflationary pressures.

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.

Massachusetts anti-hunger advocate fasts against Trump food stamp cuts
Activist begins hunger strike to oppose proposed reductions to SNAP benefits, citing concerns over food insecurity.

Sweden launches spending review commission to identify savings
New commission tasked with auditing state expenditures to reduce costs amid fiscal pressure. Review expected to inform budget proposals for 2025.

U.S.-Iran tensions fail to spark volatility as crypto, TradFi calm persists
Geopolitical risks between Washington and Tehran remain elevated, yet global markets—both traditional and crypto—show little reaction. Sovereign bond yields rise amid steady trading conditions.

China’s commercial banks see marginal rise in bad loans
Non-performing loan ratio ticks up as economic headwinds weigh on borrowers. Regulatory data signals modest deterioration in asset quality.

Croatia's July inflation slows to 3.9% from June's 4.5%
Consumer prices in Croatia rose 3.9% year-on-year in July, down from 4.5% in June, aligning with regional disinflation trends.

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.

Cooler U.S. inflation may force divided Fed to hold rates steady
Warsh's Fed faces pressure to pause hikes as softer CPI data challenges rate-hike consensus amid mixed signals on policy path.

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.

Global markets brace for rising inflation pressures
Central banks face renewed scrutiny as price pressures intensify across major economies, with key data points due this week.

Eurozone GDP grows 0.4% in Q2, Eurostat estimates
Second-quarter expansion slightly exceeds expectations as domestic demand and services sector lead growth. Full data due August 14.

Philippine central bank expects gradual inflation easing, warns of upside risks
Monetary Board projects slower price growth in coming months but flags risks from supply shocks and external factors. Inflation seen trending toward 2-4% target range.

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.

