Fed’s Powell Allows For Rate Cuts ‘Sooner Rather Than Later” – If Inflation Behaves
– Repeats FOMC Can Afford to Wait and Be Careful Amid Great Uncertainty – Says FOMC Must Be ‘Careful”; Doesn’t Need To Be ‘In Any Rush’ By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell reiterated his belief that the Fed can afford to wait for more evidence on inflation and labor market […]
Japan Week Ahead: PM Ishiba in Rough Waters amid High Costs After Ruling LDP’s Tokyo Assembly Poll Setback Ahead of Upper House Election Next Month
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese economic and political events for the coming week following no change in the Bank of Japan’s policy interest rate and a slower tapering pace for the bank’s government bond purchases in fiscal 2026. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party suffered a setback in Sunday’s Tokyo assembly […]
FOMC: MINIMAL CHANGE IN OUTLOOK; STILL SEE TWO RATE CUTS THIS YEAR BUT SOMEWHAT LESS SO
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The Federal Open Market Committee Wednesday made only minuscule adjustments to its outlook, still anticipating two rate cuts this year with slightly less enthusiasm. The Fed;s “dot plot” had seven participants seeing no rate moves this year while eight saw two rate cuts. Another two saw one rate cut. The FOMC’s economic […]
ISRAEL-IRAN UPDATE: Pres Trump Gathers Advisers, Says Iran’s Supreme Leader Safe ‘For Now;’ Tells Tehran to Evacuate; Vance Says Action May Come
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – There are signs Tuesday afternoon that President Trump is weighing whether to finish off Iran’s capability to produce nuclear weapons by authorizing the use of penetrating “Bunker Buster” bombs dropped by American pilots. Top advisers have been seen entering the White House with a meeting reported under way in the White House’s […]
Japan Still Sees Gradual Economic Recovery Despite Trump Tariffs; Trade Conflicts Continue Clouding Outlook amid Front-Loading Purchases, Pullback in Demand
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government remains cautiously optimistic, sticking to its long-held conviction that the economy should be able to weather both external shocks on already sluggish growth and a cost-led surge in domestic inflation, repeating it is expected to stay on a “modest recovery” track. In its monthly report for June released […]
TRANSCRIPT: Fed’s Powell Says Wait and See Effects of Tariffs on Inflation, Unemployment
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell Wednesday said in several different ways the Fed has to wait and see whatever effects on inflation and unemployment come from whatever the ultimate tariff rates are imposed on China and other countries – and beyond that, he said very little more. A transcript of the post-FOMC […]
FOMC Stands Pat, Sees Risks Up for Both Unemployment, Inflation
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The Federal Open Market Committee Wednesday, as expected, decided to maintain its policy rate and the only notable addition to the policy statement was that the Fed sees “the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen.” The policy statement follows: Although swings in net exports have affected the data, recent […]
Canadian Prime Minister Carney Leads Ruling Liberal Party to Minority Win in Tight Race with Conservatives in Snap Elections
–Former Central Banker Calls for Unity to Fight Threat to Canada’s Sovereignty By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is projected to have led his ruling Liberal Party to a slight minority victory in general elections on Monday, defeating the main opposition Conservative Party by promising to build Canada into the strongest […]
FED’S BEIGE BOOK: Analysts See ‘Pre-Downturn’ Assessment of Tepid Economy Coast to Coast
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The Federal Reserve’s latest “Beige Book” survey Wednesday of economic conditions in all 12 Fed Districts reflected widespread uncertainty because of shifting trade policy, softening consumer spending and worsening outlooks that hinted at an economy on the precipice of a downturn. The following is the national summary and District-by-District snapshots from the […]
Japan Seeks to Tide Over Trade War by Shoring Up Consumption, Keeps Gradual Economic Recovery View Despite Mixed Business Sentiment, Rising Inflation Risks
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government maintained its cautiously optimistic assessment for the eighth straight month, saying the economy is expected stay on a “modest recovery” track, but highlighted the growing uncertainty around the world triggered by the protectionist U.S. trade policy under President Trump. In its monthly report for April released Friday by […]