The wholesale prices in Japan are expected to have accelerated in June, primarily due to a combination of factors such as a weak yen, increased commodity import bills, and rising transportation costs. These elements are contributing to cost-push inflation pressures on the economy, which heavily relies on international trade. According to a poll of 17
Economy
Japanese household spending took a hit in May, as government data revealed an unexpected 1.8% contraction compared to the same period last year. This decline was significantly lower than the market forecast, which had predicted a 0.1% increase. The rise in food prices played a significant role in dampening consumer spending on other items, highlighting
The performance of hedge funds in the first half of the year has been a mixed bag. While some multi-strategy and systematic funds have seen significant gains, macro funds like Caxton Associates and Brevan Howard have faced challenges. Andrew Law's Caxton Associates, which focuses on macro economics, finished last month flat after a 4% gain
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
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