The December increase in U.S. monthly consumer prices was smaller than first estimated, but overall inflation revisions were varied and did not change predictions regarding when the Federal Reserve would likely cut interest rates this year.   The Labour Department's yearly adjustments, which...

This week has seen an unprecedented spike in cocoa prices as unfavourable weather severely damages crop output in West Africa, which produces three quarters of the world's supply.   Since the beginning of the year, cocoa futures prices have increased by more than $1,000, or over 40%, to...

US toy manufacturer Mattel Inc. reported a net income growth of over nine times in the fourth quarter of 2023, despite lower-than-expected adjusted earnings and revenue. Net income for the October–December period was $147.3 million, or $0.42 per share, in contrast to $16.1 million, or $0.04 per...

The switch to green energy in Europe is caught in a difficult situation. Record solar energy installations are being driven by a rush of low-cost Chinese solar panel imports. However, the few domestic solar producers in Europe are being crushed by those same imports.   Opinions on how to...

According to Sarah Breeden, the deputy governor of the British Central Bank's financial stability unit, management at the Bank of England are now more concerned with determining how long to maintain the base interest rate at its current level than with the stability of inflationary pressures,...

Kris Lin, the owner of a lighting manufacturer in China, was confronted with a difficult decision when he received the first order of the year from a close overseas client: either take it at a loss or advise employees not to return after the Lunar New Year.   "It was impossible for me to...

According to a survey conducted by the US National Retail Federation (NRF), Americans would spend approximately $25.8 billion overall on Valentine's Day (February 14) this year, nearly unchanged from the previous year. 2020 saw the record high of $27.4 billion. With an average of $185.81 prepared...

The Bank of England maintained the benchmark interest rate at 5.25% annually, in line with predictions made by analysts. The British regulator's website states that the Bank of England maintained the basic interest rate at 5.25% annually. Two members of the Bank of England's monetary policy...

According to Bloomberg, China's primary stock index, the CSI 300, dropped by about 1% and hit a five-year low. The newspaper notes that worries that the government is not doing enough to boost the economy and address the protracted real estate crisis caused Chinese stocks to drop 6.3% in January,...