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South Korea’s economy faces uncertainties from rising inflation, a weakening won and uneven performance across sectors, even as it grows stronger than expected this year, according to analysts. The Bank of Korea on Thursday revised its economic growth outlook for this year to 2.6 per cent, up 0.6 percentage points from its forecast three months ago, citing robust exports driven by booming semiconductor demand and government supplementary spending aimed at offsetting the shocks from the Middle...

From Diet Coke to condoms, the world’s supply chains have faced surprising downstream disruptions.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record closing highs as hopes of a US Iran ceasefire extension boosted sentiment. Investors also digested US inflation rising to a three-year high and weaker GDP revision. AI and tech stocks led gains, with Microsoft, Snowflake, Eli Lilly and Marvell among top movers today.

He also warned that the US economy would face a recession in the second half of 2025 as a result of US president's tariff policies

Oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel amid escalating Iran–Israel tensions and fears of a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy chokepoint. Analysts warn crude could climb to $150 if disruptions persist, raising inflation risks and pressuring Indian equities, which have already seen sharp declines amid foreign outflows, rupee weakness and energy supply concerns.

TT Ram Mohan has rightly suggested that the tax-GDP ratio measures structural improvement. The FM must rethink his medium-term debtto-GDP target.

Gujarat's upcoming Lok Sabha elections are influenced by PM Narendra Modi's charisma, anti-incumbency, unemployment, inflation, education, healthcare challenges, and BJP's endeavor to secure all 26 seats. ​​Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat will be held in a single phase on May 7. Counting of votes will be held on June 4. Anti-incumbency, unemployment, inflation, education and healthcare facilities are some of the other important issues in the election, where the ruling BJP in Gujarat will attempt to retain all the 26 Lok Sabha seats it won in 2019.

Indian exporters are calling on the government to lift the cap on interest subvention. They state current support is insufficient to counter rising global trade uncertainties. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations believes the subsidy scheme needs revision. This aims to provide more substantial relief to businesses facing higher borrowing costs and fluctuating export demand.

India faces significant external sector challenges due to rising oil prices, foreign investor exits, and a weakening rupee. Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran describes this as a "live balance of payments stress test," highlighting pressure on imports, currency stability, and foreign exchange flows. The situation is exacerbated by heavy oil import dependence and regional geopolitical tensions.

A key inflation gauge accelerated in April to the highest level in three years, the latest sign that spiking gas prices and higher food costs are squeezing Americans’ finances. Inflation jumped to 3.8 per cent in April compared with a year ago, the Commerce Department said on Thursday, up from 3.5 per cent in March and the highest since May 2023. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.4 per cent, down from the 0.7 per cent jump in March. The report showed that prices have risen for many items in...

China has a unique window to internationalise its currency by deepening domestic financial markets, according to a former senior US central bank official who pointed to the evolution of the US dollar and the euro for lessons to be gleaned. The comments from Charles Evans, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, provide a fresh perspective in the growing discussion over whether and how the world’s second-largest economy can transform the yuan into a global currency. Speaking on...

Across the vast United States, soybean farmers caught in the crossfire of the US-China trade war hoped for a deal on the crop when US President Donald Trump met with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. There was optimism after the two presidents met in Busan, South Korea, in October, when China committed to increased soybean purchases. This time, however, Trump left Beijing without any concrete agricultural announcements, much less one about US farmers’ biggest export. Instead, a general...

Higher inflation in April is due to energy, tariffs and AI-related spending

Trade defences needed to combat ‘existential’ threat to key sectors, industry commissioner Stéphane Séjourné says

The country is focused on exports, but China is slowing imports and U.S. tariff threats are growing. Politicians are offering few alternatives.

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President Alberto Musalem says the central bank is missing on the inflation side of its mandate during an interview with Bloomberg's Stephanie Flanders at a central banking conference in Iceland. (Source: Bloomberg)

Egypt’s recent Eni-linked gas finds have lifted hopes of an upstream revival, but analysts say import pressure is unlikely to ease soon.

Just days before the Islamic festival of Tabaski, livestock markets in Abidjan are slowing down. Burkina Faso and Mali have suspended exports, while insecurity and the closure of Sahel trade corridors are disrupting traditional supply routes. The result: sheep are becoming scarce and prices are soaring across Abidjan’s markets. Our team on the ground reports.

Maxim Reshetnikov said that this was mainly due to exports from Russia, because imports slowed down a bit

The move is likely to unsettle international investors already concerned about the uncertain trajectory of economic policymaking under Prabowo.

The country's export-dependent economy has been hit hard by geopolitical turmoil, trade tensions, and the chronic instability of Thai politics.

The overland route presents a limited lifeline for Tehran, but cannot substitute for sea-based oil trade.

economic · economic

China’s crude imports look poised to recover from a months-long slump as the country relaxes fuel export curbs, raises run rates and snaps up prompt Middle East supplies, with analysts and traders forecasting a return to strategic stockpiling later this year.

economic · economic

Brent crude climbs more than 4 percent as Washington and Tehran clash over control of critical waterway.

economic · economic

Gold prices declined over one percent in early Asian trade Monday. Oil prices jumped sharply, increasing inflation concerns and interest rate expectations. U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged missile and drone assaults in the Gulf region. Federal Reserve chair testimony and economic data will offer policy clues. Gold speculators reduced net long positions while China increased its reserves.

economic · economic

The dollar strengthened against most currencies due to renewed Middle East conflict. This conflict fueled inflation fears and increased rate hike prospects from central banks. Oil prices rose significantly, driving the dollar's upward movement and inflation concerns. Traders now anticipate two Federal Reserve rate hikes by year-end. Upcoming U.S. inflation data and Fed testimony will remain key focus areas.

economic · economic

The Treasury two-year yield climbed to its highest level in more than 16 months as renewed tensions in Iran pushed up oil prices, fanning speculation that the Federal Reserve will tighten policy to keep inflationary pressure in check.

economic · economic

India’s free-trade agreement with the United Kingdom will take effect on Wednesday, offering businesses on both sides immediate tariff relief while giving New Delhi an early test of the concessions, compliance demands and implementation challenges it may face in future deals with other Western powers. UK exports in sectors such as luxury vehicles and spirits are expected to benefit, while Indian textiles and leather products will gain as the agreement eliminates tariffs on 99 per cent of exports...

economic · economic

Oil prices spike as renewed US-Iran war threatens global supply route Oil prices have climbed by more than 3 percent as renewed fighting fuels fears of disruption to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures rose by $2.67, or 3.51 percent, to $78.68 a barrel. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important energy routes. About one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption passed through the waterway.