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Economy

Monetary policy, fiscal policy, RBI, government budgets, and macroeconomics

Rupee Hits Record Low of 95.33 Per Dollar

The Indian rupee has hit a record low of 95.33 per US dollar, dragged down by surging crude oil prices and heavy foreign capital outflows. A wider current account deficit and inflation risk are adding to the pressure, and RBI interventions have not reversed the slide.

Oil Firms Lose ₹14-18 Per Litre on Fuel Sales

Indian state-run oil companies are selling petrol at ₹14 per litre below cost and diesel at ₹18 below cost. The West Asia crisis has pushed energy prices higher, adding an expected ₹80,000 crore loss on LPG for the current fiscal year. A price hike, budget support, or mounting company losses are the likely outcomes to

Fed Holds Rates at 3.75% for Third Meeting

The US Federal Reserve kept its benchmark rate unchanged at 3.5%, 3.75% for a third straight meeting on 29 April. The Fed flagged rising inflation risk from higher global energy prices as a reason to hold firm. Borrowing costs are likely to stay elevated until those pressures ease.

Fed Holds Rates Steady, Powell Era Nears End

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged for the third meeting in a row. The April meeting is likely Jerome Powell's last as chair, with his term ending May 15. Attention now shifts to who will succeed him and what direction rate policy may take.

Gas Prices Hit Highest Since July 2022

Gas prices have risen to their highest point since July 2022 as oil trades near $110 per barrel. The surge raises fresh inflation concerns and puts direct pressure on household budgets and transport costs. Sustained prices at this level could weigh on consumer spending and complicate monetary policy decisions.

Fed Expected to Hold Rates at Powell's Final Meeting

The Federal Reserve is expected to leave interest rates unchanged at its next policy meeting, likely Jerome Powell's last as chair. Markets will focus less on the rate decision and more on signals about who leads the Fed next, since a new chair shapes how the central bank handles inflation and growth.

Fed Expected to Hold Rates at Powell's Possible Last Meeting

The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady at its next meeting, which may be Jerome Powell's last as chair. Trump has signaled he wants to replace Powell, raising questions about the Fed's future direction on rates. A leadership change could push markets to reprice bonds, the dollar, and rate

Fed Set to Hold Rates at Powell's Likely Last Meeting

The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady at its Wednesday meeting. It is likely Jerome Powell's final meeting as Fed chair. The decision and any forward guidance will be closely watched given the pending leadership change.

Powell Briefs Markets as Fed Leadership Transition Looms

Fed Chair Jerome Powell holds a press briefing Wednesday after the Fed's latest policy meeting. Markets are watching closely because Powell's term is nearing its end and no successor has been confirmed, creating uncertainty about future rate policy. His remarks could move expectations on interest rates and the Fed's

Union Bank Flags $100 Oil Risk for India

Union Bank of India warns that crude prices near $100 and possible Strait of Hormuz disruptions could stoke inflation, weaken the rupee, and strain India's external balances. Since India imports over 85% of its oil, sustained price rises feed quickly into domestic costs and the current account deficit.

Iran War Seen Lifting US Prices Through 2026

Economists warn that the US-Iran war will keep gas and grocery prices high through 2026. The conflict threatens shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly 20% of global oil supply. Higher fuel costs ripple into food prices over the following months.

Pakistan's $1.2bn IMF Disbursement Hinges on Mid-May Board Vote

Pakistan's IMF Executive Board review is set for mid-May, with approval expected to unlock roughly $1.2 billion under the Extended Fund Facility and Resilience and Sustainability Facility. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb confirmed the timeline at the Bretton Woods Spring Meetings after a Staff-Level Agreement was

Executives Defer $300K Income to Beat Year-End Tax Bracket

High-earning executives are electing to defer up to $300,000 in compensation past December 31st to avoid the 37% federal marginal rate and let pre-tax dollars compound tax-free inside nonqualified deferred compensation plans. The strategy's value is directly tied to the spread between current and future effective tax

EU Trade Surplus Contracts After Pre-Tariff Export Surge

The EU trade surplus has narrowed after an earlier 2025 spike driven by exporters front-loading shipments ahead of U.S. tariffs. The pullback reflects fading pull-forward demand rather than a fundamental shift in export performance. Markets will watch whether tariff pressure begins to structurally weigh on EU export

Dimon Warns U.S. Economy Faces Complex Risk Set

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned that the U.S. economy faces an increasingly complex set of risks and cautioned Americans against complacency. The alert from the head of the largest U.S. bank carries particular weight for credit markets, lending conditions, and investor sentiment.

Retirement Income Planning Becomes Global Structural Challenge

Retirement income planning has become a global challenge as aging populations, longer lifespans, and shrinking defined benefit systems shift longevity risk onto individuals. The structural transition affects asset managers, employers, and public pension frameworks across both developed and developing economies.

Pakistan Cuts Diesel Rs32 as Global Oil Prices Drop

PM Shehbaz Sharif cut Pakistan's high-speed diesel price by Rs32.12 per litre to Rs353.42, an 8.3 percent reduction tied to falling global oil prices after the US-Iran ceasefire. Petrol was held at Rs366.58 per litre. Further reductions are expected next week as the Strait of Hormuz's reopening continues to push global

Experts Weigh In on Gas Price Outlook

The article references expert views on gasoline price direction but does not supply specific forecasts, named sources, or price data. Without those inputs, no reliable price trajectory can be reported. Monitoring crude benchmarks and OPEC+ output decisions remains the most reliable forward signal.

Fed Beige Book Flags Iran War Business Uncertainty

The Federal Reserve's Beige Book reports that the conflict involving Iran is putting U.S. businesses on edge, signaling rising geopolitical uncertainty across the Fed's regional districts. Beige Book sentiment shifts often precede changes in capital spending, hiring, and investment decisions that later appear in hard

BOJ's Ueda Flags Low Real Rates in Policy Calculus

BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda stated that Japan's low real interest rates must be factored into monetary policy decisions. The comment reinforces expectations of continued tightening, as negative real rates create justification for further normalization despite a cautious economic backdrop.