May 26, 2025 United States: Dollar Extends Drop as EU Tariff Delay Boosts Risk-Sensitive FX A gauge of the dollar slid toward its lowest level in nearly two years after US President Donald Trump’s decision to postpone higher tariffs on the European Union boosted other currencies with strong links to global trade. The
May 22, 2025 United States: US Business Activity, Sentiment Improve as Tariff Anxiety Eases US business activity and output expectations improved this month as trade-related anxiety eased even as price pressures continued to mount due to tariffs. The S&P Global flash May composite index of output rose 1.5 points to 52.1 after sliding
May 21, 2025 United States: US Mortgage Rates Rise to Three-Month High, Slowing Home Demand US mortgage rates climbed last week to a three-month high, prompting a slide in applications for home purchases and refinancing. The contract rate on a 30-year mortgage rose 6 basis points to 6.92% in the week ended May
May 20, 2025 United States: US Stocks Lag After Six-Day Climb Puts S&P 500 Near Bull Market US equities edged lower on Tuesday after climbing for six consecutive trading sessions, with investors awaiting a bevy of Federal Reserve speeches and parsing corporate earnings. The S&P 500 Index slumped 0.3% at 9:35 a.m. in
May 19, 2025 United States: Treasuries, Dollar Fall as Moody’s Sharpens Focus on US Debt Long-dated Treasuries fell on Monday as investor attention turned to the US’ ballooning debt after Moody’s Ratings stripped the nation of its last top credit rating. The 30-year yield rose as much as nine basis points to 5.03%,
May 16, 2025 US Housing Starts Increase on Pickup in Multifamily Construction US housing starts increased in April as a pickup in multifamily home construction more than offset a decline in single-family dwellings caused by elevated inventory. New residential construction increased 1.6% to an annualized rate of 1.36 million homes, according to government
May 15, 2025 United States: US Producer Prices Fell Unexpectedly in April as Margins Shrank Prices paid to US producers unexpectedly declined in April by the most in five years, largely reflecting a slump in margins, suggesting companies are absorbing some of the hit from higher tariffs. The 0.5% decrease in the producer
May 14, 2025 United States: Fed’s Jefferson Sees Lower Growth, Says Inflation Could Rise Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said tariffs and related uncertainty could slow growth and boost inflation this year, but monetary policy is well positioned to respond as needed. Jefferson stressed heightened uncertainty about government policies, and said it
May 13, 2025 United States: US Inflation Comes in Softer Than Forecast for a Third Month US inflation rose by less than forecast in April amid tame prices for clothing and new cars, suggesting little urgency so far by companies to pass along the cost of higher tariffs to consumers. The consumer price
May 12, 2025 United States: US, China to Slash Tariffs During 90-Day Reprieve for Talks The US and China will temporarily lower tariffs on each other’s products in a dramatic ratcheting down of trade tensions that buys the world’s two largest economies three months to work toward a broader agreement. The combined 145%
