Economy

Euro zone economic growth decelerated sharply in March 2026, with the S&P Global Composite PMI dropping to 50.7 from 51.9 in February, the weakest pace of expansion in nine months. The figure suggests a 0.2% GDP growth in the first quarter of 2026,...

The UK’s recent rise in the national minimum wage to £12.21 for those over 21, marking a 6.7% increase from April 2025, has had a limited effect on employment, with data indicating only modest shifts in the labour market. The increase, which impacts...

The US Treasury’s decision to place President Donald Trump’s signature on banknotes marks a symbolic shift in currency policy, with potential implications for institutional credibility and monetary perception. The move comes as part of broader...

Germany is increasingly turning to India to address a deepening labour shortage that is constraining economic growth and productivity across key sectors. The move reflects broader structural challenges within Europe’s largest economy, where...

The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady as rising energy prices and geopolitical tensions complicate the outlook for inflation and economic growth. Policymakers are signalling caution, with markets increasingly anticipating a...

Germany’s economy showed renewed signs of weakness at the start of the year as exports declined and industrial production fell for a second consecutive month. The data highlights persistent pressures facing Europe’s largest economy, which has...

The escalating conflict involving Iran is increasing economic uncertainty for the United Kingdom, with government officials warning that prolonged disruption to global energy markets could raise inflation and place renewed pressure on household...

Group of Seven economies are considering releasing strategic oil reserves as escalating conflict in the Middle East pushes global crude prices higher and raises concerns about inflation, energy supply stability and economic growth. Finance ministers...

The United States labour market delivered an unexpected setback in February after employers cut 92,000 jobs and the unemployment rate rose, raising new concerns about the strength of economic growth as businesses grow more cautious about hiring....

UK government borrowing costs climbed sharply as investors reacted to rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with fears that a widening conflict involving Iran could disrupt energy markets and weaken global growth. The movement in gilt...

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has defended the government’s fiscal stance as updated forecasts point to subdued economic growth, highlighting the structural pressures facing the UK economy. The latest projections indicate only modest expansion over the...

The International Monetary Fund has cautioned that current US economic policies risk amplifying structural imbalances, warning that trade barriers and expansive fiscal settings could weaken medium term growth. The assessment underscores concerns...

Panama’s decision to annul concession contracts held by CK Hutchison at the entrances to the Panama Canal represents a consequential shift in control over one of the world’s most economically significant trade corridors. The Supreme Court ruling,...

The European Union has taken a firm stance against any rise in United States tariffs following a Supreme Court ruling that disrupted the legal framework underpinning Washington’s trade measures. Brussels made clear that tariff ceilings agreed last...

Germany’s economy is expected to expand by only around 1 per cent in 2026, according to the country’s leading business chamber, underscoring the persistence of structural weaknesses in Europe’s largest economy. The projection reflects subdued...

US tariff revenue has surged by more than 300 per cent over the past year, underscoring the growing fiscal and economic impact of trade duties as policymakers await a Supreme Court decision that could reshape their future use. The sharp increase...

Russia has blocked access to WhatsApp, intensifying its efforts to assert control over foreign technology platforms and strengthen domestic digital sovereignty. The restriction marks one of the most significant limitations placed on a widely used...

US Treasury yields have drifted lower as recent data point to a gradual cooling in the American economy, reinforcing evidence that restrictive monetary conditions are slowing activity. The move in bond markets reflects shifting expectations around...

The US labour market showed further signs of cooling last year as job openings fell by nearly one million, marking a significant shift from the exceptionally tight conditions that followed the pandemic. The decline suggests employers are becoming...

Eurozone inflation slowed to 1.7 per cent in January, falling below the European Central Bank’s 2 per cent target and reinforcing signs that price pressures across the bloc are continuing to ease. The data mark a meaningful shift after an extended...