Category: Global Economy

TARIFFS STATE OF PLAY: Confusion as Tariffs and Tariff Threats Multiply

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – As one round of tariffs took effect Tuesday and more were threatened, rampant uncertainty permeated plunging U.S. stock markets while interest rates continued to dramatically ease. Analysts found themselves giving contradictory assessments on the business channels as the probabilities for more Federal Reserve rate cuts this year were coupled with dire predictions […]

US ISM Manufacturing Stays Just Above Neutral Line in February after Ending 2 Years of Contraction in January as Trump Tariffs Trigger Greater Uncertainties

–ISM Manufacturing Index at 50.3 Vs. 50.9 in January, Below Consensus (50.5)–ISM’s Fiore: February Report ‘Overshadowed’ by Tariff Talk among Firms–Fiore: Lower New Orders, Higher Inventories, Slower Supply Deliveries ‘One-Month Blip, Might Clear Up in March or April–Fiore: This Doesn’t Indicate Decline in Overall ISM Manufacturing Activity By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity […]

Japan’s Government Keeps Economic Recovery Scenario Despite Headwinds of High Costs of Living, Trump Tariffs, Sluggish China Pickup

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government maintained its cautiously optimistic assessment for the sixth straight month, saying the economy is expected to stay on a “modest recovery” track, overcoming the lingering headwinds of high domestic costs of living, the risk of a global trade war initiated by the Trump administration and wobbly Chinese growth. […]

BofA Global Research Fund Manager Survey:  Investors Embrace Upbeat World Growth Outlook

–Cash Levels Lowest Since 2010 By Vicki Schmelzer NEW YORK (MaceNews) – Global investors embraced an upbeat world growth outlook in February, as evidenced by the lowest cash level holdings since 2010, according to BofA Global Research’s monthly fund manager survey, released Tuesday. Eighty-two percent of those polled this month said a global recession was […]

TARIFFS STATE OF PLAY: CHINA Tightens Restrictions on Rare Earth Exports to USA Among Tariff Retaliations

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – In what analysts have said is a measured response, intended not to further escalate U.S.-China trade tensions, China nevertheless Tuesday has imposed some significant new penalties. Chief among them are export controls on several rare-earth minerals important to the U.S. manufacture of high-tech products. They include indium, bismuth, molybdenum, tellurium and tungsten. […]

UPDATE: Fed Officials Take Cautious Approach to Further Rate Cuts As Late Jan FOMC Nears

– Harker Still Sees Rates Heading Lower; But Now ‘Appropriate To Take A Pause’ – Collins Calls for ‘Patient Approach to Policy’; Cuts Could Go Faster or Slower – Schmid: Funds Rate May Already Be ‘Neutral;’ Favors Further Balance Sheet Shrinkage – Bowman Urges ‘Caution;’ Monetary Policy Not As Restrictive As Some Think  By Steven […]