As 2024 reaches its conclusion, Wall Street is displaying a remarkable resilience characterized by gains across major indexes. This performance can be largely attributed to a convergence of favorable economic indicators post-pandemic, anticipated declines in borrowing costs, and a robust surge in technology stocks supported by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). The S&P 500, Dow
Economy
As the year draws to a close, European stocks experienced a downturn, following a similar trend set by their counterparts in Wall Street. This decline, marked by a 0.6% drop in the pan-European STOXX 600 index, reflects the apprehension among investors stemming from elevated government bond yields. Investors are increasingly cautious, choosing to withdraw from
The trajectory of Asian markets at the beginning of this week reflects a complex interplay of international economic factors, particularly influenced by rising Treasury yields and fluctuating equity valuations on Wall Street. The anticipated New Year holiday muted trading activity further, leading to a subdued opening for Asian equities. The relentless climb in U.S. Treasury
In the wake of a remarkable performance by U.S. stocks throughout 2024, investors are now bracing themselves for a potentially volatile new year. As they enter January, expectations are high due to seasonal trends, upcoming economic indicators, and a significant political transition in Washington. Analysts are cautious, however, as the road ahead is fraught with
The current economic landscape presents a significant challenge for Jerome Powell as he moves through 2025 as the Chair of the Federal Reserve. As he attempts to maintain an independent and apolitical stance for the central bank, he must also consider the ramifications of policy shifts introduced by the newly elected administration of Donald Trump.
In a significant move, the Italian Senate has recently approved the government’s 2025 budget, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle to manage the country’s economic challenges. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s budget strategy is designed to reduce the fiscal deficit from the previously forecasted 3.8% of gross domestic product (GDP) for 2024 down to
The recent passing of Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India, on Thursday at the age of 92, has not only drawn sorrow from his compatriots but has also garnered recognition from leaders around the globe. His funeral was marked with poignant tributes reflecting the profound impact he had on India and the broader international
December brought mixed signals regarding Japan’s economic landscape, particularly concerning inflationary pressures. Data released highlighted that core inflation within Tokyo’s consumer market increased, with the core consumer price index (CPI)—which excludes the volatile fresh food prices—rising by 2.4% year-on-year. This marginal increase came in slightly below the anticipated 2.5%, following a previous uptick of 2.2%
In the aftermath of the holiday season, the U.S. dollar experienced a slight uptick, driven largely by investor optimism surrounding anticipated policies from the incoming Trump administration. These policies, aimed at stimulating economic growth and potentially raising inflation levels, have sparked interest among traders, albeit in a backdrop of reduced trading volumes. The lull in
Japan has long grappled with the specter of deflation, an economic malaise that stifled growth for decades. However, recent statements from Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda signal a pivotal change. He indicated that the Japanese economy may finally be on the brink of sustainably achieving the central bank’s long-sought 2% inflation target. This