Fed cuts rates by 25 basis points just days after Donald Trump’s victory November 7, 2024 The decision, the second in the cutting cycle, was widely anticipated by markets and means the federal funds rate stands in a range of 4.50-4.75 per cent.
US reports worst jobs growth since December 2020 November 1, 2024 The US has reported its worst jobs growth since December 2020, as only 12,000 new jobs were added to the economy during September. This was significantly below the 113,000 forecast by analysts, leaving economists describing the numbers as “weak”. However, unemployment held steady at 4.1 per cent, while average hourly earnings rose 0.4 per cent [...]
US and European interest rate cuts hang in the balance ahead of crunch week October 27, 2024 Key economic figures in the US and Europe are set to give investors clues on how much further both regions' central banks could go in cutting interest rates this year.
US inflation comes in above expectations following hot jobs report October 10, 2024 US inflation came in slightly above expectations in September, bolstering the case for a slower pace of rate cuts over the coming months. Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the headline rate of inflation fell to 2.4 per cent in September, down from 2.5 per cent last month but slightly ahead of [...]
Wall Street claws back week’s losses thanks to strong jobs report October 5, 2024 US stocks rallied on Friday after a surprisingly strong report on the US job market raised optimism about the economy. The S&P 500 climbed 0.9 per cent and got close to its all-time high set on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 341 points, or 0.8 per cent, to set its own record, while [...]
Pound’s strength against the dollar risks ‘damage’ to UK’s competitiveness September 25, 2024 The pound reaching its highest level in over two years against the dollar risks damaging the international competitiveness of the UK, City analysts have warned. Sterling now sits at $1.34, its highest since February 2022 and far from its low point of $1.03 in the days after Liz Truss’ mini budget. However, while the strength [...]
Interest rates heading lower after historic week for central banks September 23, 2024 For many central bankers, concerns about sluggish growth and the health of the labour market are now as prominent - if not more so - than fears about inflation, paving the way for an extended period of rate cuts.
US Fed’s preferred inflation metric set to validate jumbo rate cut September 22, 2024 Crucial US inflation data is poised to back up the Federal Reserve's jumbo interest rate cut as investors question where other central banks will follow in its footsteps.
Fed lowers interest rates by 50 basis points in first cut since 2020 September 18, 2024 Today's rate decision was the most uncertain in years, with investors torn in the run-up to the decision about whether the Fed would cut rates by 25 or 50 basis points.
US retail sales rise ahead of Fed’s interest rate decision September 17, 2024 July's figures were also revised up to show a 1.1 per cent gain having previously been estimated at 1.0 per cent increase.