Central Banks In Tightening Mode Over High Inflation, Recession Worries

RTTNews | 1056日前
Central Banks In Tightening Mode Over High Inflation, Recession Worries

(RTTNews) - Global central banks unleashed a large amount of policy tightening this week, led by the Federal Reserve that delivered a bigger-than-expected 75 basis points hike on Wednesday, as policymakers across the world are increasingly worried about the persistence of runaway inflation and the prospect of a recession.

In Europe, the European Central Bank grew concerned over the rising peripheral bond yields and signaled on Wednesday that it is preparing a new tool to address the fragmentation risk in the euro area.

On Thursday, the Bank of England raised rates on expected lines, while the Swiss National Bank surprised with an unexpected hike.

Meanwhile in Asia, the Bank of Japan refused on Friday to join its peers in raising rates and maintained its ultra loose monetary policy, even vowed more easing if necessary.

Taiwan's central bank on Thursday raised its policy rate for a second time. Hong Kong's de facto central bank followed the Fed and lifted its key rate.

In South America, Brazil's central bank raised its key interest rate, called the Selic, on Wednesday, and signaled more tightening ahead.

read more
U.S. Wholesale Inventories Climb Slightly Less Than Expected In March

U.S. Wholesale Inventories Climb Slightly Less Than Expected In March

The Commerce Department released a report on Thursday showing wholesale inventories in U.S. increased by slightly less than expected in the month of March. The report said wholesale inventories rose by 0.4 percent in March after climbing by an upwardly revised 0.5 percent in February.
RTTNews | 16時40分前
U.S. Labor Productivity Decreases For First Time Since 2022

U.S. Labor Productivity Decreases For First Time Since 2022

The Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing a pullback by U.S. labor productivity in the first quarter of 2025 along with a sharp increase by unit labor costs. The report said labor productivity fell by 0.8 percent in the first quarter after jumping by an upwardly revised 1.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024.
RTTNews | 17時14分前
U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Dip Slightly More Than Expected

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Dip Slightly More Than Expected

First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits saw a modest decline in the week ended May 3rd, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The report said initial jobless claims dipped to 228,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 241,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to slip to 230,000.
RTTNews | 17時20分前
U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Dip To 228,000

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Dip To 228,000

First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits saw a modest decline in the week ended May 3rd, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday.
RTTNews | 18時49分前
Fed Leaves Interest Rates Unchanged, Warns Of Higher Unemployment, Inflation.

Fed Leaves Interest Rates Unchanged, Warns Of Higher Unemployment, Inflation.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced its widely expected decision to leave interest rates unchanged, highlighting increased uncertainty about the economic outlook. The Fed said it decided to leave the target for the federal funds rate at 4.25 to 4.50 percent for the third straight meeting.
RTTNews | 1日前
U.S. Trade Deficit Spikes To Record High In March As Import Surge

U.S. Trade Deficit Spikes To Record High In March As Import Surge

The U.S. trade deficit spiked by much more than expected in the month of March, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Tuesday. The report said the trade deficit soared to a record high $140.5 billion in March from a revised $123.2 billion in February.
RTTNews | 2日前