Economy

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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 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

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

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

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 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.

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

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.

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 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.

US import prices rose less than expected in the latest period, offering a brief reprieve from input cost pressure. Analysts anticipate a sharp increase ahead, driven by the Iran conflict's expected disruption to energy costs and global shipping routes.

A Reuters poll projects Bank Indonesia will hold its benchmark rate at 4.75% through 2026, citing inflation risks tied to the Iran conflict. Sustained geopolitical pressure on energy and commodity prices reduces the central bank's room to ease. Borrowing costs and rupiah stability are the key variables to watch.

Economist Swaminathan Aiyar says India can weather the West Asia conflict short-term but warns second-order inflation and fertilizer cost pressures are unavoidable. US political dynamics may accelerate resolution, limiting direct damage. A prolonged conflict, however, would stress India's economic buffers significantly

The RBI absorbed ₹2 lakh crore through a 7-day VRRR auction, accepting bids at a 5.24% cut-off rate against total bids of ₹2,28,098 crore. The oversubscription signals persistent banking system surplus, prompting the central bank to sterilize short-term liquidity and defend its interest rate corridor.

Malaysia's economy grew 5.3% year-on-year in Q1 2026, driven by manufacturing, services, and construction, according to an official advance estimate. The broad-based expansion signals resilient domestic conditions entering the second quarter. The figure remains subject to revision as full data becomes available.