The recent release of weak U.S. economic data has had a significant impact on the foreign exchange markets. Both the pound and the euro saw gains against the dollar following this news. Sterling managed to edge up to $1.2757, while the euro reached $1.0801. The dollar’s decline was sparked by softer-than-expected U.S. economic data, including
Economy
The recent increase in first-time applications for U.S. unemployment benefits and the rise in the number of people on jobless rolls towards the end of June have pointed towards a gradual cooling in the labor market. This ebbing labor market momentum, coupled with abating inflation pressures, has put the Federal Reserve on track to potentially
The U.S. stock market is facing a downward trend with futures pointing lower on Tuesday. This comes after a previous session where the main indices on Wall Street experienced a slight rise in light pre-holiday trading. The Dow futures contract has dropped by 0.3%, S&P 500 futures by 0.3%, and Nasdaq 100 futures by 0.4%.
In the first six months of 2024, activist investors launched campaigns at a record number of companies globally, as reported by data from Barclays. This increase in activity has sparked speculation among bankers, lawyers, and investors about potentially more costly battles between activist shareholders and management over leadership changes, spin-offs, and outright sales in the
European corporate earnings are facing uncertainty due to the political situation in France. President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to call parliamentary elections has raised doubts about the country’s fiscal discipline under new governments. Concerns about tax and minimum wage rises have shaken confidence in French blue-chip firms, leading to a decrease in earnings expectations and European
The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority has made significant strides in curbing federal regulatory authority during the most recent term. The court has focused on limiting the government’s power to regulate various aspects, ranging from stock trading to pollution. This marks a critical role in the ongoing effort by business interests and others to diminish
The recent snap parliamentary election in France has brought to light a potential shift towards far-right government, a drastic change that could impact the entire European Union. President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to call for this election after the defeat of his centrist alliance by Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) has sent shockwaves through the
China’s manufacturing activity experienced a decline for the second consecutive month in June, according to an official survey. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the purchasing managers’ index (PMI) stood at 49.5 in June, unchanged from the previous month. This figure remains below the critical 50-mark, indicating a contraction in the manufacturing sector.
An article by Daniel Wiessner from Reuters discusses how a federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked a Biden administration rule that aimed to extend mandatory overtime pay to 4 million salaried U.S. workers. U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan ruled that the U.S. Department of Labor’s rule improperly based eligibility for overtime pay on workers’
Argentina’s President Javier Milei recently achieved a big legislative win with the approval of economic reform measures proposed by him in Congress. This comes just over six months after he took office, indicating early success in his presidency. The measures, which include investment incentives, privatization of state-owned entities, and tax reforms, are aimed at shaking
The events in Bolivia on Wednesday evening saw the armed forces pulling back from the presidential palace in La Paz, signaling a dramatic turn of events in the country. General Juan Jose Zuniga, who had been recently stripped of his military command, led military units that gathered in the central Plaza Murillo square, leading to
Recent statements from the European Central Bank (ECB) indicate a possible gradual reduction in interest rates if inflation drops as anticipated. This move comes after the ECB’s decision to cut rates in June, marking the first rate decrease in the current cycle. Despite the clear indication that further cuts are on the horizon, policymakers have
Sri Lanka is on the brink of signing a debt restructuring agreement with a group of creditor nations, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to navigate through a debilitating economic crisis. The Foreign Minister, Ali Sabry, confirmed that the agreement is expected to be finalized on Wednesday, bringing hope for the country’s recovery.
Recently, two federal judges in Kansas and Missouri, at the request of Republican-led states, have issued injunctions to prevent President Joe Biden’s administration from further implementing a new student debt relief plan. U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree in Wichita, Kansas, and U.S. District Judge John Ross in St. Louis, Missouri, have blocked the U.S. Department