US retail sales strong in February; an increase in the price of petrol will affect spending

Column chart titled 'Monthly change in US retail sales'

Retail sales increased by 0.6% in February Basic sales earn 0.5%; a large tax refund guarantees spending Production increases in March, but the supply chain continues to deteriorate WASHINGTON, April 1 (Reuters) – U.S. retail prices rose by the most in seven months in February as car prices rose and temperatures soared, but rising gasoline … Read more

Exclusive: Bank of England’s Bailey says investors shouldn’t count on rising UK rates

Exclusive: Bank of England's Bailey says investors shouldn't count on rising UK rates

Bailey said any action by the BoE should limit the damage to the UK economy The MPC is likely to debate the need to move quickly on tariffs Bailey says the situation is not the same as in 2022, firms have less pricing power Stock market prices doubled this year JP Morgan cuts BoE rate … Read more

South Korea’s chip boom powers export growth to four decades

South Korea's chip boom powers export growth to four decades

Item 1 of 4 Trucks transport containers at the Uiwang ICD Terminal in Uiwang, South Korea, March 13, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo [1/4]Trucks transport containers at the Uiwang ICD Terminal, Uiwang, South Korea, March 13, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rightsopens a new tab Imports rise 48.3% y/y, against 44.9% forecast Increase in semiconductor … Read more

The UK economy was in recession until the end of last year before the Iran war

William Schomberg

Item 1 of 5 Shoppers walk along Regent Street in London, Britain, May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska/File Photo [1/5]Shoppers walk along Regent Street in London, Britain, May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rightsopens a new tab UK GDP confirmed at +0.1% in Q4 The Iran war is expected to be a major concern … Read more

China’s factories are experiencing the fastest growth in a year as the risks of war are increasing

Line chart titled 'China factory work'

Item 1 of 2 A worker works on the Nio electric vehicle production line at the JAC-NIO production plant in Hefei, Anhui province, China August 28, 2022. China Daily via REUTERS/File Photo [1/2]A worker works on the Nio electric vehicle production line at the JAC-NIO production plant in Hefei, Anhui province, China August 28, 2022. … Read more

Wall Street indexes often fall as the Iran war escalates

Traders work on the floor of the NYSE in New York

Asset managers receive benefits after the 401(K) guidelines of the labor department The Fed’s Powell flags confirmed inflation expectations Consumers are weighing Trump’s stance on Iran Indexes: Dow up 0.1%, S&P 500 down 0.4%, Nasdaq down 0.7% March 30 (Reuters) – Major US indexes fell on Monday as US President Donald Trump’s new warning to … Read more

Global bonds are reeling from heavy monthly losses as the war economy grows

Bond markets are under pressure as the war in the Middle East raises inflation concerns

Prolonged conflicts change the market’s focus to bearish growth Central banks walk a tightrope; UK long-term interest rates are expected to rise by around 100 bps in March Germany is up 69bps, US is up 50bps SINGAPORE/LONDON/NEW YORK, March 30 (Reuters) – Global government bonds are headed for their biggest monthly decline in years as … Read more

Powell said the Fed would wait and see how the war affects inflation

It shows a certain level of inflation expectations

Powell said high energy prices have not created a tough choice for the Fed With inflation running above target, the Fed is watching inflation expectations Powell sees less risk in the labor market Financial markets have written off bets on a Fed rate hike this year CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, March 30 (Reuters) – Federal Reserve Chairman … Read more