U.S. consumer confidence surged to a six-month high in August, driven by optimism about the economic outlook. However, growing concerns about the labor market, following an increase in the unemployment rate to 4.3%, have tempered this positive sentiment. The latest consumer confidence data from the...

With the US Federal Reserve signaling imminent interest rate cuts, investors are shifting their focus to upcoming economic data, questioning whether the "soft landing" narrative that has buoyed U.S. stocks in 2024 can endure.   Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's recent statement at the...

Australian households are facing escalating home insurance premiums as climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of natural disasters, according to a report released on Monday by the Actuaries Institute. The increasing costs not only strain family budgets but also pose significant...

ExxonMobil Corp. anticipates that global oil demand will stay steady at the current level until 2050. ExxonMobil stated in its annual forecast (Global Outlook) that the demand will stay over 100 million barrels per day (bpd). The company stated that although the demand for oil to produce gasoline...

The U.S. Federal Reserve's recent dovish turn offers temporary relief to the Bank of Japan (BOJ) in managing the yen's weakness, yet it adds complexity to Japan's path of raising interest rates, especially as divergent policies between the two central banks may unsettle global markets.   At...

The U.S. Federal Reserve's ability to control inflation has been bolstered by its credibility in financial markets, but this trust had to be earned through concrete actions, according to new research presented at the Kansas City Fed's annual conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. While market...

After months of grappling with a weakening yuan, China's central bank now faces a new challenge: managing the currency's unexpected strength. In August, the yuan has gained 1.3% against the dollar, nearly erasing its losses from the first half of the year. This marks the longest winning streak for...

In a surprising shift in Spain’s kitchen preferences, sunflower oil has overtaken olive oil as the country’s most consumed cooking oil, driven by soaring olive oil prices. Spain, renowned as the world’s largest olive oil producer, has seen a notable change in consumer behavior due to rising costs....

At last month's Federal Reserve meeting, discussions about the timing of interest rate cuts took center stage, with some U.S. central bankers eager to kickstart the debate. The extent of support for a rate reduction starting at the upcoming September 17-18 meeting will become clearer when the...